Reynolds Education Association Bargaining Session Update: June 16, 2014

REA Negotiations Update for June 16, 2014

The meeting was held in the Woodland Elementary Library from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.


Article 7: Employee Work Year
The District presented a counter proposal.  The only section the parties continue to work on is E. Early Release/Late Arrival.  The District remains reluctant to give up early release/late start time but recognizes the need for implementation, collaboration and planning.   The District has developed a framework for four and six week cycles to help ensure that implementation and reflection time are built into the schedule.  REA later presented a counter proposal adding language to indicate that each content development area shall be followed by at least two effective application/implementation opportunities.

Article 18: Student Discipline
The District presented a counter proposal.  Productive discussion continued about what language should be in the bargaining agreement and what language should be in student handbooks or district policy.  The District presented language to establish two different scenarios- less serious behaviors and those that are more serious and require a safety plan.  There was also discussion about the information that is and is not available in Synergy at this time.

REA later presented a counter proposal that included language about students who disrupt the instructional program needing to have a plan in place before they are readmitted to class.  The proposal also retained prior suggested language regarding protective equipment and appropriate training being provided for members when it is needed. In addition, language regarding notification to staff members about students being made prior to admittance to class was retained.

Article 26: Special Education
The District presented a counter proposal which included retaining the current system where SPED teachers or case managers are eligible for substitute time when appropriate.  In addition, to acknowledge attendance at meetings and additional paperwork, a stipend of $800 is proposed for teachers who are in a SPED teaching assignment  The stipend would be instead of time carding hours to cover additional time in meetings.

Article 9:  Teaching Hours
REA presented a counter proposal.  The proposal continued to include language regarding counselors not covering more than a prescribed number of preparation periods and changes to current contract language regarding required attendance at more than three after school events.  The District later presented a counter proposal which included language stating that in the event a counselor is required to cover a preparation period the content of the preparation coverage period shall be counseling related curriculum.

Article 5:  Employee Rights
No proposals were exchanged but there was discussion regarding this article.  Topics included evaluation of pupils and whether prescribed weighting might be included.  REA wants its members to have control over the weighting with proficiency based grading.  There was also discussion about the new teacher evaluation program and what language should be in the contract vs. what language should be covered in the evaluation program document itself.

The session ended at 3:30 p.m. No articles were TA’d during this session.  Eleven articles still remain open:

Article 5 – Employee Rights
Article 7 – Employee Work Year
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 session was originally scheduled for August but it has now been determined that session will need to be rescheduled due to a scheduling conflict for the District’s legal counsel.  An alternative date has not yet been confirmed.