MOU Update. . . .
KEA and KSD continue to try to reach an agreement on an MOU regarding the reopening of school. As of now, the biggest point of contention is the issue of COVID leave. Since we are one of the few districts that don’t offer an online option, it is our position that KEA educators are at a greater risk for COVID related absences. Therefore, it is imperative that members be given a way to quarantine without using up their entire bank of sick leave. It has been made abundantly clear to KEA leadership that KSD has other ideas for the $60 million surplus, than to use this money for the safety of their employees. Over the next three years, KSD will be receiving over $90 million in grant money from the CARES act. This money is earmarked for COVID related expenses, and yet the response from the Chief of Organizational Effectiveness and team, is that COVID leave is too expensive to provide to their employees. It’s unfortunate that we work for a district who would rather keep money in its coffers, then to ensure that employees remain safe during a worldwide pandemic that has claimed the lives of thousands of people. To say that this has been frustrating is a huge understatement.
Vaccine Mandates and Accommodations . . . .
You will be receiving a communication from the district today regarding the vaccine mandate. The information will apply to everyone; those who are vaccinated, and those who are wishing to apply for waiver/accommodation. For those who are already vaccinated, the communication will inform employees how to upload a copy of their vaccination cards. There will also be a second option to request a “live verification.” If the person chooses the second option, then someone from HR will come to your school and physically view your card. This is the option that KEA is highly recommending. It is not wise to upload and send any type of medical records over KSD email. By doing so, it could make you vulnerable to a public records request. Therefore, KEA encourages all members to choose the second option and allow HR to do a visual confirmation of your vaccine records. To choose this option, check the box on the form and a date will be assigned later to make this accommodation available to you.
This communication will also include the forms necessary for those hoping to apply for a medical or religious accommodations. These forms were created and sent to KSD from OSPI and then forwarded to you. At the top of these forms is an option to send them in via online or to request a virtual meeting to discuss your accommodation with HR. These forms should be filled out soon, as KSD will begin reviewing, accepting, and rejecting them this Friday. We highly recommend that the forms not be submitted over district email but rather dropped off at KSD in person. If you choose to meet with HR to discuss an accommodation, we encourage you to invite a union rep to join you for this meeting.
Overloads. . . .
We have been made aware that there are classes in overload already and over the cap. We are speaking regularly with HR regarding this issue. We have expressed safety concerns around the lack of ability for students to be able to keep the recommended three feet distance between one another. KSD has responded that the CBA states that the District has until September 15 to remedy classes that are over their cap, but due to COVID and the variants that are here, we are hoping that KSD will be working to move up the timelines.
