12.00 KPEA Update from Bargaining

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

The team met today at the conference room in the 4-D building.

We appreciated the salmon dip brought in by Henry Anderson, the basket of goodies from Redoubt Elementary, the Chex mix from Linda Ferkinhoff, the wraps, salad and cookies from Mary Beth Snell and Nancy Hamburg. I apologize if I forgot anyone. It saves us so much time and money when folks bring goodies and it makes the team feel appreciated!

The team met at 9:00 am and bargaining began with the district at 1:00 pm.

Sean began by stating they wanted to break at 3:30 today and we agreed since Elaine from Homer and Carl from Seward needed to get on the road asap. The district also stated they needed to caucus until next Tuesday meaning we would NOT be meeting on Saturday as scheduled.

Also, the district is requesting a location change for Feb 7, 8, and 9 (next week) to be at the Risk Management Building (the portable across from Central Office). The session is still open and we highly encourage people to attend.

February 13^th – we will not be meeting.

Feb 20, 22, and 23 back on schedule at the 4-D building.

Sean suggested they were still working on the 7 questions we gave them on Monday regarding the audit.

KPESA discussed …. (see Margie’s update)

Sean gives Joe their language for 210 health care. They reiterate that we have their language for Section 130 Reimbursement for Physical Exam and 140 Discretional Monies.

They also give Joe a counter proposal for 120 Extracurricular Programs stating that there updating and publishing the appendix with the ranges would meet our needs and contract would not have to be issued at the end of the year for the following year.

The district is still looking at our counter for Section 345 Unpaid Leave of Absence.

Joe then asked Sean to state the difference between a CEU and credit. Sean stated that credits usually require a written assignment or assessment and some type of oversight.

Joe asked Sean if he brought the criteria/rubric the district used for initial placement and salary advancement. No rubric was produced but Sean stated the process was for an analyst to follow the criteria set forth in the negotiated agreement. If there were questions, then the senior analyst, Lynne Sandahl was consulted, then if there were still questions Tim Peterson was brought in. If an employee has an objection they must file that in writing by November 1^st. At that point there is a review. If the employee is not satisfied, then a grievance may be filed.

Joe also asked about the current language of “relate to an immediate assignment”. Sean stated that if someone had taken credits over the summer and then were reassigned to a different area the district would “take a look at that”.

Joe asked regarding DEED’s new criteria if anyone from the district had testified in favor of the new recertification changes. Sean did not know.

Sean stated they had contacted a mediation service but had not heard back.

1:35 Caucus is called for 30 minutes.

Sean stated that yes some OT/PT’s are “on the clock” when the receive credits and/or CEU’s. “It’s possible” he stated that they may have been on work time. However, they have limited opportunities for obtaining credit.

Going back to the immediate assignment versus our language (and DEED’s language) of areas of endorsement, Joe states that the value lies in the employee and the more endorsements they have the more “valuable” they should be to the district.

Sean states the district is “comfortable” with the process they have in place for evaluating initial placement and salary advancement.

2:30 Caucus called until Tuesday.

Check out the first article on negotiations printed in today’s Redoubt Reporter at www.redoubtreporter.wordpress.com

If you are in the Central Peninsula area, please plan to attend the School Board meeting next Monday night Feb. 6^th at 7:00pm downstairs of the borough building. Wear our colors; blue or teal.

02-01-12 KPEA Bargaining Update