No Agreement Following Recent District Proposal 

Last night the District Bargaining proposal still sought to eliminate the Early Retirement Plan, moving from 2-1/2 years to 3 years.  This offer came despite the comments of dozens of teachers and SRP who attended Tuesday’s School Board meeting to speak against excessive state mandated testing as well as the District’s proposal to eliminate the Early Retirement Plan and revamp paycheck distribution for teachers.

In addressing the School Board, USEP President Kenny Blankenship stated, “Our teachers and SRP appreciate the offer of an increase in pay, but hate that it has to come at the expense of others.  We believe we made a very reasonable counter to the District’s proposal and hope that in the spirit of the Holiday season a settlement can be reached that is agreeable to both parties.”

While the District’s proposal showed some movement, their proposal included an inequitable distribution of pay increases for SRP, an instructional compensation task-force that could actually limit options for teachers, and a pay cut for part-time adult education teachers.

USEP negotiates for all teachers and SRP, members and non-members alike. As the bargaining agent we seek to gain a settlement that benefits all while also protecting the benefits and contractual rights of the minority.

Negotiations will resume on Wednesday, December 3rd.  In the meantime, USEP wishes all District employees and their families a happy, healthy Thanksgiving!