Today we responded to a Special Education supposal from management and then met for a two hour sidebar to discuss the edits both parties have made. Your bargaining team continued to push for language that protects the full continuum of services for students receiving special educations, protects case management time, provides methods for capturing accurate caseload and workload such as initial evaluations and provides a system that allows professional educators to have voice in district decisions that impact our ability to serve our students.  Additionally, District management provided a supposal on Early Education and our team provided a response.  

What was notably absent from today’s session was any communication from management regarding whether they intend to provide a genuine COLA, adequate planning time, limits to class size/caseload, mental/behavioral health supports for students, vermin-free classrooms, and improved safety in our schools.  We will meet again on Monday.  If District management hopes to avoid a strike, time is running out for them to produce a comprehensive package that addresses our issues. 

In Solidarity,

Your Bargaining Team
Steve Lancaster, Chair
Francisca Alvarez
Samara Bockelman
Julia Fogg
Thea Keith
Charity Powell

Ryan Olds, OEA Staff
Angela Bonilla, President