Report from August 26 Bargaining Meeting

Business completed at the table Wednesday:

• Two MOUs were signed (they will be posted to fcea.com in the next couple of days)

  • (Annual) Early Retirement Incentive

  • Literacy and Math Ambassadors

• 5 Job Descriptions were completed.  Thank you to our many members who contributed to these new or updated job descriptions.  JDs are posted on the district website.

  • Literacy Ambassador

  • Math Ambassador

  • School Counselor

  • Educational Specialist:   Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN)

  • Educational Specialist:  Extensive Support Needs

Bargaining:

• After the district’s initial response on May 13th, we had the state budget revisions which changed the COLA.  CSEA met with the district after those events and FCEA received an amended offer from FCUSD to match what they offered our classified partners at the very end of the school year.  That offer was shared with Rep Council this week and is included in the powerpoint below.

• After spending time this summer reviewing data and the district’s updated proposal, FCEA’s Bargaining Team with Exec Board’s direction presented our counter offer.    link

• After a caucus, the District’s Team and Sean Martin returned to share concerns about enrollment numbers being down and did not offer an update to their previous salary offer.

• After another caucus, FCEA shared that we heard the district’s concerns but noted enrollment numbers are not final until October and emphasized that salary is not just numbers in a spreadsheet; it also represents a tangible measure of whether or not our members are “Partners” in education in more than just words, powerpoints or metrics.  FCEA did not modify our offer but indicated a willingness to work with the district should they return with an updated offer when we meet Sept. 9th.  The teams are in agreement regarding benefits and PD, salary compensation is where we still differ.

• If you can, please attend the School Board Meeting on Thursday Sept. 3rd at 6 pm.  We need to show the district we are serious when we say that the high expectations placed on us should be matched by more than just words from FCUSD management or School Board members.  You are free to leave after the FCEA report is complete.  If you would like to share with School Board members descriptions of your ever increasing workload and district expectations, we encourage you to use the district email link sent out before the School Board meeting.  We’ve found that School Board Members are more receptive to this feedback when they can read it and process it as opposed to on the spot speeches at the meeting so email is an effective process for us.  Having members visually in the board room emphasizes that there is unity and support for FCEA's position where both the School Board and FCUSD Management Team can see it.