Summary of Changes to the New Contract

Bottom line: when it was all said and done, more was said than was done. That's not a bad thing. :-)

Below you'll find the major changes that we're asking you to approve in the new contract. During our meeting this Wednesday morning the members of the Bargaining Team will be happy to answer any questions, after which we'll have a ratification vote.

There are no major changes. The biggest items to know:
*You will receive 2 more hours of per diem this year, for a total of 86.
*The work day language has not changed; we will be studying possible options for change next year.

SOMETHING NEW: I've uploaded the tentative contract to a hosting website; you can click this link to read the final draft. I haven't tried this before, so please let me know if you run into technical problems.

Below I've listed the items that most impact you as a staff, going in order from the beginning of the contract to the end.

• The contract will be for three years, expiring at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.
  
  
• From now on a copy of the contract will be posted on-line, which should make it easier for everyone to get to.
  
  
• Pre-school is now guaranteed to have a paraprofessional.
  
  
• Remedial math classes at the Middle School and High School will be capped at 20 students.
  
  
• Combination class teachers will receive an additional $3,000 a year stipend.
  
  
• We now have better language for special education caseload size. There are still no firm caps, but the process of how to get relief for Resource teachers and ESAs is clearer.
  
  
• Also for special ed teachers, if you don't use your release days for IEP paperwork you'll be able to cash them out at the substitute rate of pay.
  
  
• Substitute teachers will now be placed on the salary schedule after 20 days of consecutive subbing, instead of 30.
  
  
• As was discussed in the spring, employees who announce their intent to retire by January 31st will receive a $1,000 stipend, with the amount prorated after that.
  
  
• Teachers may now access up to four days of Professional Leave per year to work on programs like National Board certification, or the Professional Certificate required by the state. This leave has to be arranged in consultation with your principal.
  
  
• There is no longer a $95 allotment per teacher for travel. This doesn't mean there won't be travel, which is a discussion that you'll be having at the building level.

In prepping for the bargain I looked at a lot of comparable data for our district and others, and please believe me when I say this: we already have a very, very good contract. I think that these changes will make it better, and I would strongly ask that you vote to ratify.

Please, ask questions. This is your contract, and all of us on the Bargaining Team are here for your benefit.

Thanks!

--Ryan--

Ladies and Gentlemen, We Have a Contract

Hello MLEA Members,

This past Tuesday, July 15th, we had our final round of negotiations with the school district, and we've finished up the proposed contract for the next three years. It was a great discussion about how to improve what is already a very good document, and all of us on the Bargaining Team would like to thank Dr. Veltri and the administrative staff for the dialogue.

I'll be posting more details about the new contract on the website in the coming weeks, and at the staff breakfast on August 27th we'll vote on ratifying.

As the lead negotiator I'd like to give special thanks to Cheryl Spilker for her calm perspective, Sharon Smith for her great ideas, and Melanie Kilgore for her energy and thoughtfulness. A first-time team member was Sheila Overman from Hallett, and her eloquence in speaking about special ed issues really helped to move the conversation forward. Tim Martin, Tina Evans, and Vikki Hernvall did a great job representing the high school. Thanks as well to Terry King for keeping me honest and Sam Peterson for running the numbers like a pro, as well as Wendy Stewart offering her presidential perspective.

A big "Thank you!" also goes out to Carol Tyson, an ex-officio member of the team who was always there to lend an ear when we needed to bounce ideas off of someone.

Should you have any questions about the process please feel free to contact the Bargaining Team member from your building, or your local MLEA Exec Board member.

We Need to Hear From You Regarding the Contract

Hello again,

Negotiations with the district for our new contract have been moving along well. We're entering a critical juncture, though, and we on the Bargaining Team need to hear your thoughts about one of the major outstanding issues: work day language.

The current relevant language on workday reads as follows:

Employees shall be in their buildings one-half hour prior to the start of school and shall remain one-half hour after the dismissal of school. The starting and dismissal times, which may vary from school to school, shall be determined by the Board, but no teacher shall be required to report for duty earlier than 7:15 a.m. one day per week and 7:30 a.m. four days per week nor remain on duty later than 3:45 p.m. one day per week or 3:50 p.m. four days per week. The length of the assigned work day shall be substantially the same for all teachers and will consist of an average of seven and one-half (7½) consecutive hours including thirty continuous minutes duty-free lunch.

What we heard from you during the bargaining survey in February was that in some buildings morning meetings were being called outside of that 7:30 a.m. window, and that the one day a week of 7:15 was particularly onerous for staff members with children at home.

What I need to hear from you, as your lead negotiator and MLEA president, is how far you want us to push on this issue. If you follow this link you'll be connected to an on-line survey--it's quick and easy, at only three questions--where you can give us your input.

You're also more than welcome to call me at any time with questions or thoughts about the process (951-1290), or you can contact the members of the Bargaining Team from your building.

Thank you for your time and guidance. Our ultimate accountability is to you, the members of the MLEA, and we want to make sure we do all that we can to honor your voice.

The survey will really help us in that process.

--Ryan, for the Bargaining Team--

How's Bargaining Going?

Well! We've had two meetings with the district so far, along with some very constructive dialogue. Our next meeting is set up for Thursday, June 19th. If you have any questions or guidance, please feel free to email me or speak with the Bargaining Team representative in your building!

--Ryan, for the Bargaining Team--