School board ratifies teacher contract

Teachers in Sisters schools will get a 2 percent pay hike next year under a new contract ratified by the school board Monday night.

The pay boost will, however, be largely nullified if the board cuts five days off the end of next school year as it is authorized to do by the contract.

The board has previously acknowledged that next year's budget is based on the assumption that those days will be cut in the face of tight state funding.

The contract also calls for the district to cover $708.75 of teachers' insurance premiums.

The contract provides for restoring days and increasing employees' benefit package if there is an increase in per-student state funding. The increase would have to be significant -- $24 per weighted ADM (average daily membership) to restore one day and additional bumps of $24/ADM to trigger benefit increases and more restoration of days.

School district financial officer Diane Shelley noted ruefully that "it's highly unlikely that we'll see this kind of increase in ADM (state funding)."

The one-year contract will be signed by Ted Thonstad in his first official act as Sisters' new school superintendent. The board unanimously made the official appointment at their Monday, July 12 organizational meeting.

Thonstad is making a transition from his current job in Condon and expects to be working full-time in the Sisters School District in August.

The board voted 4-1 to give Glen Lasken a second one-year term as board chairman. Eric Dolson cast the dissenting vote. Tom Coffield was unanimously appointed vice chairman.

The board also agreed to a $32,000 contract with Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation to provide middle school sports. SOAR director Coffield abstained from the vote.

SOAR has provided middle school sports for several years. The total cost is about $71,000. The balance of funds comes from pay-to-play fees and fund-raising.

The board quickly signed off on routine designations of service providers to the district -- with one exception.

Eric Dolson objected to the continued use of attorney John Witty, the legal advisor provided to the district through the High Desert Educational Service District (ESD).

Dolson argued that Witty has failed to get documents to the board in a timely manner and has been unprepared for important meetings.

Some of Dolson's concerns were echoed by board member Bill Reed.

Dolson and Reed supported the use of Neil Bryant as the district's attorney.

Superintendent Thonstad noted that he has had similar experience with Witty being slow to provide documents, but he noted that schools get quick and useful help from Witty with matters such as personnel questions.

Human Resources Director Jan Martin said, "I use John Witty a lot... he's always there for me and he's done a great job."

The board unanimously agreed to maintain Witty through the ESD for routine legal advice, but also agreed to use the firm of Bryant, Lovlien and Jarvis on substantial legal matters.