Cascade district, teachers agree

It has taken months for the teachers and the board of the Cascade Union Elementary School District to reach an agreement on the school budget, but that now has been accomplished.

The agreement was not a proposal of the district or a proposal of the ACTA union, but a mediated agreement. The concord was prepared and presented by Don Raczka, a mediator from the State Mediation and Conciliation Service. He was selected to mediate the impasse in negotiations between the district and the association.

Negotiations for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school year has the district paying a “one time only, lump sum payment, equal to 4.5 percent” of the regular compensation for 2006-07 to each member during the 2006-2007 school year. The State Teachers Retirement System indicated that the “one time only” of 4.5 percent will be credited to STRS retirement.

The board and teachers also agreed that the salary schedule, as part of the collective bargaining agreement, would increase by 3.5 percent effective Jan. 1, 2008.

The district will increase the cap by the sum of $1,308 for $10,383.48, or a monthly contribution of $865.29. Other employee benefits will remain the same.

The ACTA union had members in front of the Meadow Lane School on Tues., Feb. 5 and at the Anderson Middle School on Thurs. Feb. 7.

A letter was received at the Anderson Valley Post after the picketing which said that the majority of the teachers at Anderson Middle School did not agree with the actions of those who chose to picket in front of the school.

“We feel those actions could be viewed as unprofessional and ill-advised and in addition they did not represent the positive culture of our school. It should be noted that with the exception of one AMS teacher, all others were from the elementary sites elsewhere in the district. It is important to not adversely affect our student’s learning and parental perceptions while trying to solve an adult problem. Teachers in the district have been treated with a high level of respect through active leadership, and are allowed the freedom to give input and direction in our district. The implication to our community is that the teachers at Anderson Middle School are upset with the district, while the truth is that the majority of the teachers at this site are strong supporters of our board.” It was signed Concerned Teachers from Anderson Middle School.

Union President Kathleen Haagenson spoke to the board after the agreement was finalized at the meeting. Haagenson said, “ACTA members have voted to approve the mediated proposal for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years. This approval is also an expression of our understanding of the uncertainties currently presented by the Governor’s budget. We know that it is necessary to settle the past in order to effectively meet the challenges of the future, and we look forward to working cooperatively with the district to meet those challenges.”

Their agreement will continue through June 30, 2009, with both parties agreeing to mediate any impasse in negotiations during the 2008-09 school year.