Bargaining Bulletin

A joint message from Bend-La Pine Schools and Bend Education Association.

The Bend Education Association presented its initial collective bargaining proposal on Monday, May 1, as negotiations begin for a contract agreement that would cover the next two years. The current contract, covering about 1,130 certified employees, expires June 30.

Following a rally of BEA members outside the Education Center, BEA President Sarah Barclay provided an opening message at the bargaining table, with members of the bargaining team repeating the refrain, "It's About Time."

"Tonight Bend Education Association will present to you a comprehensive proposal centered on
finding real solutions to all of the issues our membership has prioritized, taking better care of
our current certified educator workforce, better ensuring Bend-La Pine Schools continues to be
able to attract and retain high quality educators, and bringing clarity to the collective bargaining
agreement," Barclay said.

In preparation for bargaining, BEA surveyed certified employees and asked for their input on
their current working conditions and their needs from Bend-La Pine Schools. Barclay said these issues that rose to the top:

• The District continues to require more from educators without appropriate consideration to staffing, necessary resources, and time
• The cost of living in Central Oregon has increased at a rate significantly outpacing salary improvements
• Out of pocket costs toward health benefits have made access to adequate physical/mental health care nearly inaccessible for many of your lower paid employees
• Your employees need safe working environments for staff and safe learning environments for our students

You can read her full opening statement here.

The initial proposal presented by the BEA encompasses significant contract revisions and additions in a 119-page document. You can review a 10-page summary of proposed changes here.

Here's a snapshot of key proposals:

Compensation:

• 13.76 percent cost of living increase in year 1
  
• 14 percent cost of living increase in year 2
  

Benefits:

• Insurance cap (currently $1,488) increase to $2,102 in year 1, $2,174 in year 2

• Certified employee may receive stipend or health reimbursement contribution in lieu of enrollment in health benefits when covered under other coverage

• District pays premium for long-term disability coverage

Leave:

• Increase sick leave to 15 days (up from 10)

• Increase personal leave to four days (up from 2)

• Increase bereavement leave to 5 days (up from 3) with the ability to use OFLA for an additional two weeks
  

• Allow sick and personal leave to be used in one-hour increments

• Allow colleagues to be paid for covering short absences within the workday

• Permit sick leave to be donated to Catastrophic Leave Bank

Work year:

• Increases employee-directed prep days

• Flexibility to complete work outside standard workdays

• Separate days for completing final report cards, pack up workspaces

• Increases paid holidays from five to nine
  

• Professional development one whole day per month, replacing early-release Wednesday

Teaching Hours:

• At least 30 minutes of duty-free prep time at beginning and end of workday

• Class size/class period/caseload limits and prep time increases specific to grade levels and roles
  

• Hourly per diem pay for supervising classes, students or groups beyond normal assignment/schedule

• Hourly per diem pay for attending family/community nights, open houses, other events, PD outside workday after inservice week; attendance is voluntary
  

• Limit staff meetings to one hour per month

• Limit building committee meetings to 2 hours per month

• Provide substitute release time or compensation for preparation/attendance at parent meetings or other student support meetings

Professional Improvement:

• Increase tuition reimbursement to 90 percent (from 50 percent)
• Add a professional development reimbursement at 90 percent of cost

Read BEA’s full initial proposal here.

Sarah Barclay, Co-Chair – BEA President

Cindy Perkins, Co-Chair – Juniper Elementary

Bert Gottschalk, Elementary School Representative – Miller Elementary

Christine Clark, Middle School Representative – Sky View Middle

Jessica Colburn, Middle School Representative – La Pine Middle

Chris Kuka, High School Representative – Summit High

Cindy Holler, Counselor Representative - Sky View Middle

Karla Luff-Lopez, Special Education and High School Representative – La Pine High

Samantha Bushnell, Special Education Representative – Pine Ridge Elementary

Melissa Scherer, Special Education Representative – Jewell Elementary and La Pine High

Matt Mueller, Elementary Specialist Representative – High Lakes Elementary

Maria Vidas, ELD, Dual Language, and Multilingual Representative – High Desert Middle

Henry Kim, OEA UniServ Consultant

Steve Herron, Team Lead - Chief Human Resources Officer

Melissa Barnes Dholakia - Board Chair

Steve Cook - Superintendent

Lora Nordquist - Deputy Superintendent

Kinsey Martin - Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Equity

Katie Legace - Executive Director of High School Programs

Juan Cuadros - Executive Director of Middle School Programs

Tammy Doty - Executive Director of Elementary School Programs

Sean Reinhart - Executive Director of Student Services

Heidi Kim - Legal Services

Tammie Parker - HR supervisor

The District negotiations team will presents its initial proposal on Thursday, May 18, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., in the Board Room at the Education Center.

Additional meetings:

Tuesday, June 6, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Education Center

Wednesday, June 14, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Education Center

Negotiations are open to the public. Board Room seating is limited.