Negotiation Session #02
Date/Time:
June 14, 2013 – 1:30 pm
Attendance:
NEA-C: Tony White (Lead Negotiator), Dub Newton, Artonza Martin, Jean Potter,
Ed Sizemore, Karen Rittenhouse
USD 445: John Rassmussen (Lead Negotiator), Dr. Jerry Hamm, Trudie Kritz,
NEA-C How do you want to proceed with what has been talked about during the Board meeting?
USD
We need to see what you are thinking as far as a salary package.
NEA-C We have thought about some of the non-monetary items, and we have some language in mind
on some items. If we get to salary and the district is very hesitant then that causes some
problems. We both want the other to go first with their proposal.
USD
Where are you on disability insurance? Was that talked about?
NEA-C I think we have slowly come around to the idea. We are interested in the idea and in a low-cash
year that is very attractive. When people use it is great, but 90+ % are not using it. We’re also
not sure how that would impact the sick leave and sick leave pool day. It insulates the pool and
greatly helps the pool usage amount. If we do that, what keeps the sick leave pool from having
a hole in the number of days? The days have remained fairly stable over the past several years.
We could see that as being part of the package, but just not sure yet.
USD
We understand it is not “new” money, but it could be used to help the base. We understand the
concern utilizing the funds in a different way and the fears people have about changing a
benefit.
NEA-C Some ideas are if we took off the cap on the sick leave pool? We’ve had some people who could
donate days when leaving the district. This would help to solve some of the potential conflicts.
USD
We understand that. People are currently allowed to carry up to 80 sick days.
NEA-C We see the potential, we just don’t want to misstep on this. I think we need a quick caucus so
that we can put up a package and present something.
USD
Okay.
Caucus called: 1:45 pm
Returned: 2:08 pm
Handouts passed out: NEA-C Items for Negotiation, Sick Leave Form.
NEA-C Health Insurance discount. The insurance discount would be kept by the district. We would
propose to continue the current practice.
Number of periods would be dropped.
Payroll deduction we would delete the provision.
Salary: Step and column movement and increase the base $1,200 to $36,600. We believe this
computes to 3.67% increase. It would cost about $112,000 taking into attrition. We think it is
about 2.81% more than what was spent this year on salaries.
Supplemental: FFA, Middle School vocal, instrumental and TSA as well as Elementary music.
Teacher evaluation procedures: Update section XX
Reference to 403(b) planning committee to change the dates
On the Board items:
The Association would like a few (15) printed copies and the electronic copies.
Fringe with the salary protection deletion would increase the base $500 (total $1,700) up to
$37,100. We think for the vast majority of people it would be good.
USD
So you are asking for originally $1,200 on the base and then the additional $500 from short term
disability would now bring it up to $1,700 on the base?
NEA-C yes
NEA-C We would also ask to cut five days to three days before sick leave pool usage.
We propose to get rid of the XII Section B and just have people be on duty 15 minutes before
and after the student day.
USD
Would you delete the flex time completely?
NEA
We were thinking the rest of the language might still needed to be there. We will look at it
some more.
We’re fine with the deletion of the last line of the lunch duty.
We would agree with the inclusion of a check box on the sick leave form
Changes to the Contract Year as listed on the proposal sheet. Several of the items would be
taken out so the Board has the flexibility to create the calendar.
USD
Okay
NEA
Dress Code proposal sheet is not the detailed list that we believe causes some problems, but we
came up with some flexibility for the curriculum being taught and using some common sense. It
still gives the administration some options to talk to the employees on it.
USD
What about the wording of “professional” being used. We want to really utilize and stress a
professional environment.
NEA
I think the language still leads to what the difference between an administrator or teacher’s
view as appropriate. I don’t think we are far off.
USD
Without a list of items, it is very difficult to determine what is appropriate and what is not
appropriate as it is subjective to the individual’s opinion and view.
NEA
The liquated damages one would be set according to the proposal presented.
Part A is the scheduling of the damages
Part B is the particulars and procedure
Part C is the clause that will allow for special circumstances.
NEA
We did calculate that step only would be about a 0.8% raise for the teachers.
USD
Okay, thank you. Some of this is very reasonable.
Caucus called by USD 2:25 pm
Returned at: 3:13 pm
USD
We’ll work off of what was given to us.
On the payroll deduction, it says now they can only sign up twice a year. The concern is keeping
track of anniversary dates. Does everybody start with the new rate regardless of their start
date?
NEA-C Yes. They will pick up with that amount. The affected dues only change in September and the
anniversary date is the same for everybody.
USD
Okay, so we would not have to keep track?
NEA-C No.
USD
We would be okay with that portion of the proposal.
We would also agree with the FFA level. We would not agree with the other ones listed. We’re
not sure those warrant a supplemental.
Item #6 on the handout, updating the dates on the 403(b) and the evaluation procedures, we’re
okay since those are worked out.
We would agree to the reproduction of the 15 copies to be made.
Professional day, we would agree to the 15 minute before and after the school day. We just
want to make sure that the administration would still have the ability to call a meeting, deleting
section A and B.
Last sentence in Article XII, Section E Lunch room supervision would be removed.
Adding the Sick leave checkbox, we’re okay with that as well.
Contract Day language, we would agree. We think it serves our needs and we’re okay.
NEA
We tried to hear what you were saying on that.
USD
Thank you for that.
Dress Code: What we would like to add would be two things to the proposal presented:
Employees will dress with appropriate “professional” formality…. We would like to add the
word “professional”. Also, we would add the sentence “Jeans will only be allowed on days
designated by the building principal.” That gives some flexibility in the building for those things
allowed.
NEA
Which might be never.
USD
That is not the intent, and don’t think that would happen.
NEA
Jeans, blue-jeans, what does that mean?
USD
We would be thinking more of all types of jeans, denim, but more towards blue-jeans.
NEA
Women fashion trends change all the time.
USD
If you would want to add blue-jeans, we would probably be okay with that.
USD
Liquidated damages: We are okay for the most part, but the proposed amounts are really not
high enough to be of any consequence. A counter proposal would be:
1st level: $750
2nd level: $1,000
3rd level: $2,000
4th level: $3,000
Under section C we would change the word “shall” to the word “may”. We are with you in the
understanding of this section. With the word “shall” it opens up the action even though there
might be some situations that are not legitimate. The word “may” would allow more flexibility.
NEA
I understand what you are saying. To us it opens up some concerns with what is “legitimate”.
USD
As long as it is legitimate, it would not be an issue.
USD
Salary:
Step and Column movement
In the context of your number 2, deleting the fringe (salary protection) we would offer $600 on
the base. That includes the fringe movement.
We would also agree to the change of the sick leave pool days from 5 to 3 days.
NEA
Salary offer includes step and column, $600 on the base that includes the fringe being shifted
over?
USD
Yes
NEA-C Caucus called 3:28 pm
Returned: 4:00 pm
NEA
NEA-C Items #1, #2, and #3: We agree – [Insurance, Number Periods, Payroll Deduction]
NEA-C Item #5: We agree to FFA supplemental and drop the other ones
NEA-C Item #6 and USD Item #7 is okay – [Teacher evaluation, update 403(b) dates]
USD Item #1 is okay – [Reproduction of Agreement]
USD Items #3, #4, and #5 are okay – [Professional Day, Lunch Room, Sick Leave]
USD Item #6 is okay if the calendar changes are in 2014-2015 school year as the current
calendar is already set and distributed.
USD
Ok. That makes sense since the calendar is already set for next year.
NEA-C Quite a bit of discussion on the dress code proposal. We would add the word “professional” in
the first sentence. We have some concerns on the blue-jeans sentence. We suggest the
additional “professional” wording and live with that and appeal to people’s common sense with
the hope that the “outliers” would be addressed by the administration.
BOE Item #9: Liquidated damages, we would be at our original proposal with a $100 increase on
each of those levels. Level 1: $600, Level 2: $800, Level 3: $1,000, Level 4: $1,200. We believe
the word “shall” is important and would like to see it included as originally proposed.
USD
I would think that after August 1st, the district is in a significant hard position at that time to find
a teacher. There is a lot of difference between August 1st and July 1st and there is only $200
difference in those amounts. I would ask that the timing be considered.
NEA-C We will certainly talk about it.
Salary pieces: New base that includes salary protection would be $1,500 increase including the
transfer of fringe. Step and Column increase. We compute this would be about a 2.3%.
USD
Okay, so you’re still putting $1,000 on the base and $500 from the transfer of funds?
NEA-C Yes.
USD
Okay, we’re still a ways apart.
USD Caucus called 4:07 PM
Return at 4:21 pm
USD
We’ve made some good progress, and we won’t reiterate those items that have been discussed
and included previously in proposals.
We want to stay with our sentence of “blue-jeans” being added into the dress-code language.
On the liquidated damages, we will agree to the word “shall” instead of “may” but want to stay
with the previous amounts that we gave you. The Board wants everyone to understand the
importance of the timing of resignations and how it affects the district.
On salary, we can offer you a total $700 on the base which includes eliminating the salary
protection fringe, so that new base would be $36,100, and then everything else we talked
about.
NEA-C We are getting closer. I don’t think we are going to get there tonight.
USD
We agree and would recommend getting together another day.
Scheduling of next meeting: July 26th, 1:00 PM
SICK LEAVE BANK
As per the Negotiated Agreement, which states:
Article IX, Temporary Paid Leaves, A. Sick Leave.
Item 5. Extended Sick Leave Bank:
§a. The Extended Sick Leave Bank is a voluntary program for teachers. The purpose of the
bank is to protect teachers from the loss of earnings due to an extended illness. To
qualify for extended sick leave, each participant must donate one (1) day of his/her sick
leave per qualifying period to the bank. The day donated by each member to the bank
will be subtracted from his/her accumulated sick leave.
I am aware of the provisions of the Extended Sick Leave Bank as stated in the
Negotiated Agreement and as outlined above.
I ___________________________________________________________________
Print Name
hereby offer to contribute one of my sick leave days to the pool.
I ___________________________________________________________________
Print Name
hereby decline to be part of the sick leave pool.
____________________________________________________
Signature of Employee
____________________________________________________
Date