MARYSVILLE — For the second time since contract talks broke off in October, the Marysville School District and its 650-member teachers union met in a formal bargaining session Thursday.
Bargaining teams met for more than five hours with a state mediator in Kirkland .
Although the two sides didn’t reach a tentative agreement, the union’s bargaining team decided to submit the district’s most recent contract offer to its members Thursday, said Elaine Hanson, president of the Marysville Education Association.
The offer will be submitted without the union bargaining team’s recommendation.
"That is wonderful that they are willing to submit the proposal," said Judy Parker, a school district spokeswoman. "The district believes they have submitted a fair offer."
"This will give the full teaching ranks, the full membership, an opportunity to look at the proposal," she said.
"Both parties have agreed that the details of the district’s last offer will not be released prior to the MEA meeting," Hanson said.
Marysville endured a 49-day teachers strike last fall that ended Oct. 20 when a judge ordered instructors back to work.
Neither side is discussing the specifics of their bargaining proposals.
Sticking points in negotiations last fall included a district proposal to place teachers on a statewide salary schedule instead of a locally bargained one. The union said it wants to keep local control instead of relying on the Legislature. It fears that some of its most experienced teachers could have their salaries frozen for years if they adopt the state schedule.
The district and teachers were also at odds over the rate and number of days teachers should be paid in local money for days they work beyond the 180-day school year. Teachers also were seeking a pay raise.
In other updates:
District leaders asked principals and others affected to come up with recommendations for the spending reductions in March. Those recommendations will be discussed at the study session, but no action will be taken, said Judy Parker, a school district spokeswoman.
The district is seeking $1 million from the schools and another $500,000 from central office administration.
The meeting will be at district headquarters, 4220 80th St. NE.
John Fotheringham, a consultant helping the district with its search, said there has been interest in the post despite the budget problems and labor issues.
The district started the superintendent search after reaching a $340,000 buyout with former Superintendent Linda Whitehead in March.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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