After about a year of negotiations and some compromise from both sides, the Falls School Board and the teachers union Local 331 have agreed on a two-year contract.
The board Monday ratified the contract that will include a seven-period school day and slight salary increases for staff.
“I’m glad it’s over,” said John Sandberg, teachers Local 331 president and FHS social studies teacher. “I’m always pleased when both sides can come to an agreement.”
The district’s about 70 teachers were working under a 2011-2013 contract that expired June 30. The board and Falls Superintendent Nordy Nelson advocated for a seven-period of day from the beginning to allow students more electives when selecting their courses.
“The district needs to stay competitive and offer electives that are really needed for students entering the work force,” Nelson said.
“We need to expand beyond the core subject areas.”
Teachers, however, were hesitant to change from a six- to a seven-period day at first because of uncertainties.
In October, Sandberg told The Journal there was a concern there would be reductions in staff and an increased workload for teachers. However, he stressed students are top priority, especially during a time the district’s enrollment is dropping monthly.
“Our overall goal is to keep kids in the school,” Sandberg said Tuesday of including a seven-period day in the agreement. “We need to keep our culture.”
Nelson said a large chunk of time spent at the negotiation table involved discussing the pros and cons of a seven-period day.
“It was very congenial,” he said of the process. “We really looked at how (seven periods) could benefit students and the long-term benefits it could have for the district.”
Salary increases
The new contract also includes a salary increase for staff, in a way Sandberg said hasn’t been done before.
For the first year of the contract, $80,000 will be divided among the district’s 74 full-time equivalent, or FTE, teachers. The second year of the contract, staff will see a 0.5 percent pay increase.
“We did get some more in insurance, too,” Sandberg said.
Nelson added the increase to insurance packages was a “small amount.”
“I have to compliment the teachers union on the agreement they came forward with,” he said. “What they ended up with is only a few dollars in addition to what they’ve always had...I’m really appreciative of them stepping forward and doing that.”
Cordial agreement
Both sides referred to the negotiation process as “professional” and were pleased to finally reach an agreement.
Sandberg said both sides were “open and honest” and the board was approachable with concerns.
“It was nice to voice our concerns and discuss solutions,” he said.
Board chairman Gordy Dault said Monday he was glad to have the contract settled.
“I felt that there wasn’t any screaming by either side,” he said.
Vice-chairman Michelle Hebner agreed.
“I’m excited about the seven-period day,” she said. “It’ll be a great opportunity for students.”
Hebner said she’s been negotiating for a seven-period day for several years and thanked the teachers union for coming to an agreement.
“I’m kind of excited for a seven-period day,” Sandberg admitted. “It’ll offer more electives for kids...We want to make the whole school – both high school and elementary — have a better climate.”
Other business
In other action Monday, the board accepted letters of resignation due to retirement from Ardel Henrickson, Harmony Lennox, Elizabeth Johnson, Brenda LeDuc, Gigie Harder, Mary Kay Hardwig, Onida Kocinski and Jeff Veeder.
The district will be in search of an additional preschool teacher for the 2014-2015 school for the newly-implemented all-day preschool class.
Hebner said she’s heard positive feedback from the community about the district offering all-day, free preschool and commended those involved with the effort.
The board also agreed to a one-year contract with Cedulie’s Photography for school pictures for the 2014-2015 school year.
The photography business originally requested the board agree to a three-year contract with prices not increasing over what was offered this year, however, board members felt it would be best to consider the school picture contract on an annual basis.
Open forum
Karen Bates, school employee and parent, voiced concerns to the board about the areas left to consider when making cuts to offset the loss of the state funding due to a decline in enrollment.
“I hope you can come up with creative and innovative solutions,” she said.
The list of items left for consideration to cut, Bates noted, all impact high school students.
“There are several places across the board cuts can be made,” she said.
Student Tayler Hebner requested the board consider offering open lunch Monday through Friday to juniors and seniors.
The 25-minute lunch period is now limited to senior students and only on Fridays.
Hebner’s request stated open lunch would offer students more freedom and could act as a reward to students who attend Falls High School.
