REA Negotiations Update: May 3, 2012

The Reynolds School District and the Reynolds Education Association bargaining teams met for the fifth mediation session on Thursday, May 3, 2012 starting at 9 am and ending at 5:30pm. The total time at the bargaining table is over 84 hours.

The District presented a full proposal to the Reynolds Education Association. The Association presented a counter-proposal in response. See the attachments for offer details.

The District proposals from the last mediation included language concessions that the Association said were amongst the most important, including: preparation time, unsigned complaints and the continuance clause.

The District added $50 per month for insurance in the 2012-13 school year and another $50 per month for insurance in 2013-14. This would increase the insurance benefit by $100 per month or $1200 per year, up from $900 per month to $1000 per month.

The District offer includes step increases and a one-time 2% stipend for teachers at the top step, if state revenue targets are reached. The District offered to reopen negotiations on salary and benefits if additional funds on the ending fund balance are achieved, in response to teachers' concern that the district would "find" money after the contract is settled. The District wanted to express to the staff that additional revenues or savings would benefit staff.

The details of the proposals exchanged are attached.

The parties are scheduled to meet again on May 10, 2012 from 9am to 3pm. The Reynolds School Board is committed to meeting with or without the mediator to resolve our differences within the 30-day cooling off period.