Classified Union Negotiations: Negotiations with the support staff union, which represents some of our 12-month staff and our instructional assistants, began in June, and we are pleased to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached. The Board will hold a special meeting on November 22, 2021, where the Board will vote to formally adopt the classified staff collective bargaining agreement.
Certified Union Negotiations: Negotiations with the teachers’ union (the KEA) began in March and are ongoing. The Board previously announced that the district and the teachers’ union filed a joint request to involve a federal mediator in the negotiations in order to help facilitate our discussions. The mediator has been working with both parties, and the Board is currently waiting for a counterproposal from the KEA, which is expected next week. At that time, the Board will carefully review the proposal and determine the appropriate response.
First and foremost, it is the Board’s obligation and duty to ensure that our administration can continue to perform its legal, operational, and educational oversight of district activities under a newly ratified contract.
Additionally, the Board’s proposal to teachers offers a highly competitive economic package (one of the best in the state & commensurate with our township peers). At the board meeting, Board president Evan Lukasik also spotlighted several items that would improve the educational program for both students and teachers, including:
- How to provide teachers with regular ongoing professional development during the school day and school year to keep them at the top of their profession.
- How to ensure that teachers are available to help students and parents for a specified period of time before and after school.
- How to ensure adequate time during the school day for student instruction, planning, and other district priorities.
The Board remains hopeful that we can resolve the outstanding issues and that these discussions and negotiations will result in an agreed upon new collective bargaining agreement. Mr. Lukasik emphasized that board members value and respect the faculty and strive to have a positive work environment for everyone in the schoolhouse, including students, teachers, staff, and administrators. As this process continues, it is the Board’s priority to keep student needs at the forefront of every decision.
During public comment teachers and several parents expressed their disappointment in the failure to reach an agreement The Board shares their disappointment. We continue to honor the negotiations process and hope that the union’s next proposal brings us closer to a mutually beneficial outcome.