Cottonwood Union Elementary School District's interim-superintendent Robert Lowden released a statement defending the district's choices during a three-year salary dispute, in response to a public forum held by Cottonwood teachers last week.
One of the issues in contention is the district's spending on attorney fees since the 2006 school year.
Employee contracts obtained by the Anderson Valley Post after a Freedom of Information Act request support the teachers' claims that the district is funding health insurance options for certain employees beyond their employment with the district.
A clause in the employment contracts of former district superintendent Dale Hansen and former part-time attorney Alan Swanson grants them the right to continue individual medical dental and/or vision insurance for up to five years after they cease to be employed by the district.
According to Lowden, the total amount paid out will be $49,260 over five years, about $9,852 per year.
Board members said they have scheduled a meeting with Swanson in an attempt to negotiate the health-insurance clause.
The paid health insurance for Swanson aggravates teachers' concerns about the district's spending on attorneys.
Superintendent Lowden points out that every school uses legal services every year on a variety of issues, and the CUESD school district is no exception.
"Since the 2006 school year the district has spent approximately $200,000 in legal fees. This amount is more than the district would like, and more than the district has previously spent," Lowden stated.
The interim-superintendent goes on to state the district spent a large portion of the money defending itself against complaints made by the teachers association, as well as for the negotiations process.
In 2006, former superintendent Hansen was the chief district negotiator for the district. With Hansen at odds with the teacher's association in contract negotiations, the district decided to hire Lou Lozano in an attempt to settle the contract, Lowden stated.
"Unfortunately, after three meetings, Mr. Lozano felt that he would not be able to help the district reach agreement and filed for an impasse with the state," Lowden said.
Members of the teachers association requested a new negotiator, and continue to express concern with the money the district spent on Lozano's services - including paying for his chartered plane flights to negotiation meetings.
Lowden pointed out that the district is now using Mike Stuart, a retired school superintendent, as the lead district negotiator. Stuart has told the district he would not take any money unless he was able to settle the dispute, according to the superintendent.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 2
DIDYAHEAR writes:
Uninformed, I think all the information has come out recently and I think you've lost a lot of your parental support. Good luck, cottonwoodmom and dante, who are both teachers I might add, with your pointless battle. It's a joke, most of the Cottonwood community would kill for what you make now, you are all just being greedy. You should just be thankful you have jobs. Cottonwood Union school district needs to clean house and get rid of the teachers that have thrown the biggest fits. I feel sorry for the children of Cottonwood, they have been mistreated by the teachers long enough. Kudos to Mrs. Kizer, Mrs. Boyle, Mrs. Brogoitti, Mrs. Fitch, Mrs. Randolph, Mrs. Tamagni, Mrs. Stevens, Mr & Mrs. Doty, Mrs. Koonfield,Mr. Fuller, and all of the other teachers who have been behaving like civilized adults and Shame on the CTA Reps. who have been instigating the protesting, strikes and the children strike last year, shame on all of you, you know who you are. What are you teaching our children, where is your work ethic, your values. You have all gradually started doing less and less for the children, what are you being paid for? When will you do your job? Just curious.
northvalleymom writes:
Wow! Where do you get your facts? You are sadly misinformed and haven't researched the situation. The Dotys and Mrs. Fitch are not current teachers in the district. Be very careful of the endorsements you make...kudos are not always earned. Skeletons rattle long and loud if given a chance to be exposed. CUSD has been based on unfair and inequitable treament and favors for decades.
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