Reynolds Education Association Bargaining Session Update: August 26, 2014

August 26, 2014 REA Negotiations Update:
 
The meeting was held in the Woodland Elementary Library from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
Agenda:  The District to present counter proposals on Article 7 – Employee Work Year and Article 18 – Student Discipline and REA to present a counter proposal on Article 26 – Student Services.  Discussion on Articles 22 – Employee Compensation and Article 23 – Fringe Benefits was also scheduled.
 
Article 26: Special Education
REA presented a counter proposal (attached) in response to the District’s last counter proposal which was presented on June 16th.  This counter proposal includes retitling the article Student Services and Special Education and includes service delivery option definitions taken from the Reynolds website.  It also continues to include staffing ratios and calls for a stipend for additional hours in the form of five additional paid days each year at the employee’s per diem rate in contrast to the district’s last proposal which included a set stipend of $800 per year.
 
Article 18: Student Discipline
The District presented a counter proposal that included accepting REA’s language around training and protective equipment.  Continued discussion was had about what language should be in the bargaining agreement and what language should be in student handbooks or district policy.  The District continues to struggle with when, how much, and what information should be shared and at what point the information is considered factual and concrete vs. supposition. 
 
Article 7: Employee Work Year
The District presented its last proposal from June 16th.  In an effort to reach agreement on the only outstanding issue, E. Early Release/Late Arrival, the District also provided a copy of the planned Early Release/Late Arrival cycles to illustrate the planned cycles for 2014/2015.  This Article was tentatively agreed to at the end of the session. 
 
Article 22: Employee Compensation
A preliminary discussion was held on the topic of employee compensation.  The District shared that it is looking at focusing on the top of the schedule as Reynolds has a shorter schedule than most other districts.   
 
The session ended at 8:00 p.m.  
 
Ten articles still remain open:
  • Article 5 – Employee Rights
  • Article 9 – Teaching Hours
  • Article 14 – Paid Leaves of Absence
  • Article 18 – Student Discipline
  • Article 22 – Employee Compensation
  • Article 23 – Fringe Benefits
  • Article 25 – Reduction in Force
  • Article 26 – Student Services
  • Article 27 – Workload
  • Article 31 – Duration of Agreement
The next two session are scheduled as follows:  Wednesday, September 3rd, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Woodland Library and Wednesday, September 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the OEA Office.  The agenda for September 3rd includes the District bringing counter proposals for Articles 14, 22 and 23 along with proposed salary schedules.