|
|
|
Negotiators for USD 443 and the Kansas National Education Association are getting closer to a teachers contract for 2010-11.
No deal has been made, but both groups said one could come soon.
Both parties are working on finalizing a salary schedule, defining some positions and smoothing out some of the language in the contract.
Once that is done, an agreement could be close.
"There is a chance that we could get to a spot where we can have a tentative agreement," said USD 443's chief negotiator, Brad Ralph.
One issue involved teachers who work at Bright Beginnings.
Teacher representative Eldon Brandenburg said, "We've got to look at a salary proposal for Bright Beginnings teachers because they work more hours and days throughout the year."
Another issue is supplemental positions, which need to be better defined.
"We need to clean that up to describe more exactly what is being done," Ralph said.
Supplemental positions are some of the extras teachers do, like sponsoring clubs and coaching.
But the biggest hurdle in the negotiations has been removed.
USD 443 removed the Board of Education's proposal to define a teacher's work day, which would have required teachers to be at school half an hour before and after the each school day.
In return, the KNEA removed some of its requests from the bargaining table.
"We had asked for some additional personal days, a few other things like that in our original proposal," Brandenburg said.
He said those were removed from the KNEA's proposal.
The KNEA and USD 443 are working on scheduling a date to meet again, but as of yet one hasn't been set.
Brandenburg said it's tough to set a date because teacher conferences are coming up and because teachers have a busy schedule.
But Brandenburg and Ralph said they are pleased with the direction of the negotiations.
Ralph said, "The last two sessions have been very good with lots of cooperation, and people in the community ought to feel good because the two groups are making good progress."
Negotiators for USD 443 and the Kansas National Education Association are getting closer to a teachers contract for 2010-11.
No deal has been made, but both groups said one could come soon.
Both parties are working on finalizing a salary schedule, defining some positions and smoothing out some of the language in the contract.
Once that is done, an agreement could be close.
"There is a chance that we could get to a spot where we can have a tentative agreement," said USD 443's chief negotiator, Brad Ralph.
One issue involved teachers who work at Bright Beginnings.
Teacher representative Eldon Brandenburg said, "We've got to look at a salary proposal for Bright Beginnings teachers because they work more hours and days throughout the year."
Another issue is supplemental positions, which need to be better defined.
"We need to clean that up to describe more exactly what is being done," Ralph said.
Supplemental positions are some of the extras teachers do, like sponsoring clubs and coaching.
But the biggest hurdle in the negotiations has been removed.
USD 443 removed the Board of Education's proposal to define a teacher's work day, which would have required teachers to be at school half an hour before and after the each school day.
In return, the KNEA removed some of its requests from the bargaining table.
"We had asked for some additional personal days, a few other things like that in our original proposal," Brandenburg said.
He said those were removed from the KNEA's proposal.
The KNEA and USD 443 are working on scheduling a date to meet again, but as of yet one hasn't been set.
Brandenburg said it's tough to set a date because teacher conferences are coming up and because teachers have a busy schedule.
But Brandenburg and Ralph said they are pleased with the direction of the negotiations.
Ralph said, "The last two sessions have been very good with lots of cooperation, and people in the community ought to feel good because the two groups are making good progress."
