KIRKLAND — More than four months after they broke off contract talks, the Marysville School District and its 650-member teachers union resumed talks Thursday.
Bargaining teams met for more than three hours with a state mediator in a Kirkland office building, finishing at 8 p.m. They will decide next week when to meet again.
Other than ironing out a school calendar in December, the two sides had not engaged in bargaining since a state record 49-day teachers strike ended Oct. 20 when a judge ordered instructors back to work.
"We moved closer to a settlement, but there is no agreement at this time," said Elaine Hanson, president of the Marysville Education Association.
With Superintendent Linda Whitehead on her way out and no longer involved, and three newly elected school board members, the district made a new proposal Thursday.
"We have changed some parameters," said Paul Sjunnesen, a special assistant to the Marysville School Board who is helping with negotiations. "I just went with the proposal to the board that I felt the district could tolerate to settle the contract. I didn’t go back to what was."
Sjunnesen and other district officials would not discuss specifics and acknowledge that money is tight. The cash-strapped district faces a $2.3 million shortfall from the $82.25 million budget it adopted in August, and enrollment could continue to drop by as a many as 400 students in the next two years, according to district reports.
Neither side in the contract talks would discuss Thursday’s proposal.
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.
"All I can say is we have met and we will be meeting again in the near future," said John Morrill, a union negotiator for Pilchuck Uniserv, a regional arm of the Washington Education Association that assists in local contract talks.
"Both teams will go back and talk to their constituent groups, and the teams will talk next week and set the next mediation date," said Judy Parker, a school district spokeswoman. "We feel very positive, of course, and always feel we are making progress anytime we can talk."
In February, the school board reached a one-year contract with the union representing more than 300 bus drivers, educational assistants, food workers, security staff and laundry workers. The contract, which will cost the district about $27,000 more than the previous contract, had no pay increases but does provide a larger monthly contribution toward medical benefits.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
