Board adopts collective bargaining policies
May 26, 2009
Three policies regarding collective bargaining for teachers were adopted by the school board at its May 26 meeting. School board members approved new board policies HA, Negotiations with Employees; HPA, Employee Walkouts, Strikes and Other Disruptions; and HH, Teacher Negotiating Representatives.
In other action, the school board:
- Approved a change order in the amount of $154,594 to remove a temporary partition and complete infill to expand the library at Cherokee Middle School to be paid for with bond funds.
- Agreed to change the source of funding for the Kickapoo High School HVAC modifications from major repair funds to premium and interest from the 2006 bond. The additional premium and interest are available because bids for air-conditioning projects at Bowerman, Campbell and Shady Dell were about $1 million less than anticipated. Bids for those three projects were awarded at the May 5 meeting.
Following the regular meeting, the school board convened a budget work session regarding the 2009-2010 budget. Administration presented information about federal stimulus funds and costs related to salary adjustments for employees.
Chief Financial Officer Steve Chodes reported that it is very likely the district can use $1.02 million in stimulus money each year for the next two years to free up operating funds. As a result, it is possible the district could fund a vertical increase for employees who earn advanced degrees, estimated to cost $520,000, and provide a half-percent salary increase to all employees, estimated to cost $500,000.
While the board directed staff to pursue this option, board members expressed caution about funding ongoing expenditures such as salaries with one-time money.
View information presented to the board during the budget work session.