District, teachers reach agreement

Concluding many hours of negotiation turned upside down by Governor Kulongoski's announcement of an additional nine percent budget cut, the negotiating teams for Sisters School District (SSD) and the Teachers Union (SEA) came to a tentative agreement Monday evening on a one-year contract, subject to a "yes" vote from the rank and file.

The details of the settlement still need to ironed out but the major points include:

Six days will be cut from the 2010-2011 schedule, three instructional days and three non-instructional days. It was further agreed that all SSD employees would loose the same number of days, even if, for logistical reasons, they were required to work on the scheduled furlough days.

There will be no raises of any type including cost of living raises (COLA).

"Step and column" raises will be deferred. The accumulated money saved will be used to fund an increase in the health insurance cap from $1,031 to $1,095. Once the insurance cap increase is fully funded, the "step and column" raises will resume. OEBB (Oregon Educators Benefit Board) insurance rates are rumored to be headed for a 25 percent increase in premiums.

Teachers with dual health insurance coverage will be allowed to cancel one premium and the remaining premium will be paid in full by the district.

There will be 2.5 positions cut from the certified ranks. Dennis Dempsey, interim superintendent, is hopeful that these cuts can come from attrition.

John Witty, attorney and lead negotiator for SSD, opened the post-Kulongoski-cut bargaining session stating, "We need to find the least negative decision that will work for both sides. We can feel angry, disappointed, or put-upon, but this situation was really imposed upon both sides. We just need to get this done and get on with the business of educating our children."

Witty was speaking to large budget cuts, especially the Kulongoski's late May announcement of a nine-percent state-wide budget reduction that has rocked the district's budget planning process just as the final budget was submitted for review. The already painful budget cuts totaling more than $600,000 ballooned overnight to cuts totaling more than $1.2 million.

"I just don't know how to get to a multi-year deal," Witty said. "We would all like to see a multi-year contract, but no one can predict what is going to happen next year, and it doesn't look good."

Ken Steiger, the Oregon Education Association (OEA) consultant and lead negotiator for the SEA, expressed the consensus position of SEA members that any days cut should be come more from instructional day, preserving as many non-instructional days as possible. They also wanted to make any days cut come from later in the year, just in case there is some relief from the draconian budget cuts down the road.

The SEA members are concerned that with cuts to days and staff many teachers must completely redo their lesson plans to allow for fewer days, larger classes, and in many cases, taking on new subjects to teach.

"It has long been proven that excellent teaching comes from excellent preparation" said Mike Cox middle school math teacher.

A survey of the SEA members also revealed a strong feeling that the district was not digging deep enough into their reserves. The members felt that, despite the dire predictions for the 2011-2012 budget cycle, the district should free up some of their reserves now, and simply "take the hit" if the predictions prove true.

Other key issues debated but tabled included early retirement incentives, supplemental pay for the heavy incremental work load carried by the special education staff, supplemental pay for volunteer assignments such as dance chaperone or outdoor education, and increasing the coaching staff compensation schedule.

The final budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, at 7 p.m. at the district office. The agenda includes time for public comment on the budget. Contact information for board members is available at http://www.sisters.k12.or.us; click on "Board of Education" and then "Board

Members."