CSSU School Boards and Teachers
Continue Talks
by Rowan Beck,
February 10, 2011, page 1.....

On Tuesday night, February 1, there was a special joint meeting of all the school boards in the CSSU district, attended by the Chittenden South Education Association (CSEA), regarding teacher negotiations. The room at CVU was filled with approximately 200 teachers and just three parents of students. The CSEA was asking that the boards not impose working conditions, and that they all come back to the table and talk. After the last meeting of the negotiation teams on January 20, the boards had said a contract for the current year would be imposed unless the teachers presented a reasonable offer by January 31. The CSEA submitted a proposal that met the January 31 deadline, and moments before the joint meeting, the boards countered their offer. Tensions were running high.
There was standing room only. Teachers had made posters and signs detailing their dedication and commitment to their schools. Individual teachers held green signs stating where they taught and for how long. Numerous letters were read, and President Lincoln was quoted on three separate occasions. Jason Lewis, a teacher at Shelburne, read a letter from Laura Grant, a fellow teacher on medical leave. She asked that the boards start thinking like Lincoln, “that relationships matter most on mutual respect.” Chris O’Donnell, a teacher at CVU, also quoted Lincoln saying that the teachers “look to them (the board) for wisdom and courage for the future.” Lincoln said, ‘The best thing about the future is it comes one day at a time. I walk slowly, but always move forward.’ CCS teacher Chris Gerson also spoke, thanking everyone and asking for a positive outcome.
Christopher Hood, the CSEA representative, described the decades of good-faith negotiations that had brought them this far and the union’s commitment to continue in good faith as teachers seek an agreement. He did not want to see a deterioration of the relationship that had been created over decades and said that the teachers just want a fair agreement. Steve Hyde of Hinesburg Central School followed Hood and spoke of his assumption of hidden agendas and how they created a lack of trust. He said, “Trust has deteriorated; there is misplaced anger and increased anxiety. Voting to impose will only add to the cost.” He wanted to continue talking and find real solutions to the problems.
David Rath, a member of the CVU board from Hinesburg, spoke passionately as an individual, not as a board member. He told the crowd that it is “not about skill or dedication. The boards are fulfilling their economic obligation.” He supported the CSSU negotiations taking the appropriate approach, but said imposition was not the right step. He asked for continued conversation and expressed the need for both sides to listen and work together to come to a resolution. The only speakers were teachers and the one CVU Board member; no parents spoke. When all were finished the CSSU Board called for an executive session to discuss matters at hand.
Most teachers were optimistic and remained outside closed doors for the results. Andy Smith, a music teacher for 13 years, now at CCS, was “encouraged that people were talking.” There were quite a few teachers from CCS present at the meeting. All teachers appeared to agree that if working conditions were imposed it would be hard to build back a relationship.
The counter offer from the board was unanticipated by the CSEA which was unprepared to make a decision. Members were happy, however, that the boards were moving and talks were continuing.
According to a press release from CSSU, the boards offered 2% “new money” for salaries for the current fiscal year 2010-11 (FY11) and a contribution by the teachers of 13% towards the cost of health insurance. They offered 3% “new money” for fiscal year 2011-12 (FY12) and 15 % in health contributions. They dropped the proposal to end automatic step movement after a contract expires and while the parties are still negotiating.
In the press release they said, “The neutral fact finder appointed by the parties recommended step movement only in FY11, at a cost of 1.8% new money.  He also recommended an increase in teacher contributions to health insurance from 12% to 13%.  The board agreed with this recommendation, and went even further.  Under the board proposal all eligible teachers will advance on the salary schedule as recommended, receiving pay increases ranging from 3% to 5%. The highest paid CSSU teachers are not eligible to advance on step, and would not receive any increase per the fact finder’s recommendation. The Board proposal includes a one-time $300 payment to such teachers. “
The increase to 3% in FY12 exceeds the 2% increase for salaries and benefits in the proposed budget approved by the CCS School Board to be voted at Town Meeting on March 1, and the proposal of 2% new money for FY10 exceeds provisions in the current year budget. According to Board Chair Lynne Jaunich, “Finding that money in the current and proposed budget is a topic that we’ll be addressing at our February 15 meeting.” She said the board would have to “cut positions, programs or supplies.” The budget will not increase.
Upon completion of the meeting, both sides seemed encouraged by the willingness to continue talks. However, when asked for a date of acceptance from the CSEA or a deadline from the board, none was given. The offer appears open. Hood said it would take time to coordinate the appropriate people and set up a meeting to discuss the counter offer. Jaunich said that the boards continue to hold the option of reverting back to their last formal position should the offer not be accepted, or if the new proposal fails to lead to an acceptable settlement. Both were encouraged, and Hood looked “forward to the continued process.”
Tension mounts around these issues, especially when looking to other communities. Both the Addison Northeast and South Burlington teachers were preparing to strike. South Burlington announced plans to hold a strike vote on March 2, unless a settlement could be reached. Addison Northeast teachers had set up strike headquarters in Bristol and planned to walk out on February 9. However, on Wednesday they decided instead to stay in the classroom under the working conditions imposed by their boards and to begin negotiating a contract for FY12. The Chittenden East District reached a settlement last week after lengthy negotiations.