This year’s Representative Assembly (RA) of the National Education Association saw passage of several New Business Items that support the organizing points of the Central Ohio Rank and File Educators. While some NBIs received eyerolls or mocking cackles on the floor, it’s a reminder of the purpose of the RA: For delegates to bring items they feel strongly about to the floor for national consideration.
The flow of the NEA RA is rather simple: All Ohio delegates meet every morning for 2 hours, before the start of the RA, to review the day’s upcoming NBIs as a state caucus. Ohio delegates can then debate and vote on whether to support, oppose, or take no position on each item. To assist with this task, the Ohio caucus has a “steering committee”, which is apparently meant to help guide delegates to make decisions in a timely manner, though when asked questions about NBIs, the steering committee answered when they could, but mostly relied on canned comments. Some of the oppositions the Ohio caucus took were influenced by the steering committee urging delegates “NEA already does this work”, so we shouldn’t spend more money on it. However, if NEA was actually doing the work, delegates wouldn’t be bringing forth NBIs that call for more effective work and money to support it.
There were several Ohio caucus positions that delegates in CORE found worth sharing with other union members. Ohio Caucus positions do not dictate how delegates vote, and one can always dissent. Below are just a few of those NBIs with a short description, the Ohio Caucus position (decided by majority vote in the morning state caucus sessions), CORE’s position (reflected in our hearts and votes), and ultimately, the decision of the NEA RA.
NBI 20: NEA National Day of Action against specific detrimental policies and actions of the Trump administration, as identified and prioritized by the NEA membership. NEA would supply local presidents with a toolkit for said day of action.
Ohio Caucus position: Oppose
CORE position: Support
NEA RA decision: Support
NBI 25: NEA will coordinate with state affiliates to introduce and advocate for state legislative resolutions in support of IDEA Full Funding Act. State affiliates would be given sample resolution language that has passed and been effective in states, as well as supporting materials like organizing calendars, guidance on securing rally venues, speakers and local partner organizations, talking points, and check lists.
Ohio Caucus position: Oppose
CORE position: Support
NEA RA decision: Support
NBI 76: NEA will collect and publicly share the positions (YES or NO) of federal and state elected officials and candidates on the following 3 issues:
Support for ending Citizens United v FEC through constitutional amendment or legislative means
Support for taxing political campaign contributions or expenditures above $1 million annually
Support for passing and enforcing common-sense gun laws to reduce gun violence in schools and communities
Ohio Caucus position: Oppose
CORE position: Support
NEA RA decision: Support
NBI 80: NEA will develop and deliver comprehensive Supreme Court education training that includes materials, case study modules, and interactive workshops.
Ohio Caucus position: Oppose
CORE position: Support
NEA RA decision: Support
NBI 63: NEA opposes ICE kidnapping of student leaders and supports students’ right to organize against ICE raids and deportations.
Ohio Caucus position: Oppose
CORE position: Support
NEA RA decision: Support
NBI 9*: NEA will create a committee to explore naming the American Teachers Association* (ATA) a legacy organization of the NEA. The committee will provide a report to the NEA Board of Directors for implementation by June 20, 2026. The ATA gave up its identity during the ATA/NEA merger. It is time to visibly acknowledge its rich heritage, educate our members on the rich history of the ATA and all of its state affiliates, creating visible recognition.
Ohio Caucus position: Oppose
CORE position: Support
NEA RA decision**: Support
*The ATA formed because the NEA would not let Black educators into the union.
**During debate for this NBI, an amendment was proposed, and the maker of the NBI (Cecily Myart-Cruz, UTLA President) stated the committee referral was unfriendly to the NBI (meaning, please don’t refer this to committee because it will kill it). Ohio leadership instructed the OH Caucus to support the committee referral. Thankfully, delegates of the floor ultimately denied the referral, and the NBI passed.