Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Report from Collective Bargaining

I spent a good part of the day yesterday observing a collective bargaining session between the district and the CEA (Central Education Association - the teachers' union). Not surprisingly most of the issues raised are related to our current budget crisis. The district has asked for a number of things that would reduce costs including a shorter school year and changes in the notification requirements leading up to lay-offs. The district is reluctant to reach settlement until after the next economic forecast even though the teachers have indicated their willingness to give ground on all of the money issues. There are a number of critical issues that have the potential to affect children and families if not resolved soon. Since these are all issues under active negotiation I will reserve further comment until settlement is reached.

For his part, the superintendent arrived late, left early, and said nothing while he was there.

3 comments:

  1. I do not understand why this district is not following up on money saving ideas from those in the trenches. Why when we are taking vital services away from students, did they have a Welcome Back breakfast and for all staff this year? It is a completely unecessary expenditure. Why are classified staff being paid to come in for 4 days this week? While this is a definate benefit to teachers and admin staff, it is not something that directly impacts students in most cases. These costs could have been put towards counseling staff or more teaching staff to aleviate class sizes.

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  2. Why are they serving food to staff no matter what the occassion? Salem-Keizer School District stopped feeding food to any employees over a year ago.

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  3. I feel I must comment on a statement made by a previous blog participant. Even though students are not in attendance during the first work week, classified employees play an important role in readying the school for the direct benefit of students. During that week, classified employees can be found doing a multitude of tasks that benefit students such as: setting up kitchens; getting libraries ready for enthusiastic readers; cleaning the buildings so students come in to a fresh environment; answering phones in the offices; registering students for school; preparing transition and work programs for students; readying buses for safe transportation; and many attend trainings vital to their ability to help students in the classrooms.
    I beg readers to not distinguish the difference in importance between teachers and classified employees. We all work as a team for the direct benefit of students. Beside every good teacher there is a classified employee ready to assist in preparing students for a bright future. Beside every classified employee is a teacher who is grateful for the services they provide.

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