3/1/23 Bargaining update FAQs

Can you explain the 1% on longevity?  Each year as we begin negotiations, we are provided with the cost of a 1% salary increase.  This year that cost is $836,000.  OEA proposed adjustments to the salary schedule and longevity that include the following: Begin anniversary increments in year 12 rather than in year 15 and increase the steps to 1.5%.  Longevity has not been addressed at the table in many years.  Longevity increases are ongoing, increase with future salary increases, build upon one another, and increase your STRS retirement. The cost of these adjustments are roughly the cost of 1%.  

Can you explain the 1% on benefits? Insurance premiums continue to rise post COVID.  In anticipation of a significant increase, OEA proposed increasing the health benefits cap by $1,000 to $15,219.  The cost of this permanent health cap increase is equivalent to the cost of 1%.

​Can you explain why OEA did not immediately agree to the stipends the district proposed?  The Bargaining Committee and Executive Board are laser focused on negotiating the highest salary and benefits package that is ongoing, for all members, and affects your STRS retirement. Stipends do not benefit you in retirement.  We do not want to stipend away YOUR ongoing raise.  

Can you provide us with a TK/K update? The district agreed to provide $250 per TK or K teacher for classroom supplies.  The district also agreed to a two hour release time on banking days for TK and K teachers for planning purposes.  Included in the current OSD counter was an afternoon 15 minute snack/recess time on non-banking days, as well as 3 hours of paraprofessional support per day.  We will continue negotiations on March 10th.

2/27/23 Update

OEA and OSD met until 5:12 p.m.  OEA opened with a package proposal posted below.  More details to come.

2/6/23 Bargaining Update

2/6/23 OEA's counter to full day TK/K-  This MOU was not accepted by OSD.

2/6/23 OEA's Counter to Salary

2/6/23  OEA's counter to Alternative Evaluation

2/6/23  OEA's counter to "Working Hours" 15 additional minutes to duty day.  The "Time for transitional kindergarten/kindergarten is current contract language and does not include instructional time. It is adding TK to the sentence that already exists.

1/27/23
OEA met with OSD 3:00 pm-4:45 p.m. 

OSD shared Special Education staffing allocation across the district as well  para educators assignments. 

Agreement was reached regarding a universal rate for student contact activities occurring before or afterschool for the January through June 2023.  Conversation is ongoing regarding prep time.  We hope to finalize an agreement no later than 2/6/23.  Stay tuned.

  12/7/22

OSD and OEA met from 9:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m.  After introductions, norms, and agenda review, OSD provided a budget and a student data presentation.  

OEA submitted two proposals to OSD, posted below.  
Listed within the salary proposal was a line that said, "plus modifications to the salary schedule". We discussed condensing the salary schedule, moving anniversary increments to begin in year 12, removing the and to or in column F, and increasing the Masters and PhD stipends.  The New Article: Special Education, memorializes current practices.

OEA was prepared with both a one year or two year salary proposal, OSD elected to receive the one year proposal.

OSD proposal Article IX-Evaluations:  Alternative evaluations every other cycle and removing the time limit for "informal observation" classroom visits.

Discussions on:
*The number of students with IEPs in general education classrooms.
*Extending the TK/K absent para MOU
*Stipends for sports coaches, etc
*Holding staffing as is, our members are RIF weary.  
*Early notification bonus for retirees and resignations (not including non re-elect)

OSD and OEA agreed to extend the MOUs for Class Size and Transfers.
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10/27/22

Survey results are posted below.

OEA and OSD agreed to "Sunshine" two articles outside of Salaries and Benefits.   Sunshine proposals are the first step in contract negotiations. It informs the negotiating teams as to the issues they can expect to see at the bargaining table.  The “sunshine” clause of the Rodda Act requires that each party's initial bargaining proposal be presented for public comment at a publicized school board meeting.  Our articles were "sunshined" at the Nov. 2nd board meeting.

OSD selected Evaluation and Working Hours.
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OEA selected Class Size and Special Education (NEW)

OSD recently hired a new Asst. Superintendent of HR, Natalia Torres.  She will begin in December.

Four tentative dates for negotiation are scheduled: December 7, 14 and January 12, 18.