TA Approved by School Board

CUTA Members attended the Chico School Board Meeting to thank the board for approving their contract.

As you all hopefully know, last night the School Board approved our tentative agreement with the District. It was a very positive meeting and many members attended to thank the School Board in person. Tanner Johns’ student jazz band performed “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire, and they were terrific.
 
The District now has 60 days to issue our retro checks, which will include:

• 2.46% increase to wages (back to July 1)
• 2.46% increase to the District health benefits contribution (about $320)
• One-time money ($638 prorated for FTE; a 0.5 FTE employee would receive half of the $638)
• 2.46% increase to any paid work you did for the District (stipends, hourly work, etc.)

After issuing the retro check, the salary schedule will be increased by 2.46% for the remaining pay periods of this year. The District health benefits contribution will also increase by 2.46% ($1119 per month, which is up from $1093).
 
Next year, our paycheck for August will be paid on this year’s salary schedule (including the 2.46% increase). In September, the District will look at the per ADA % increase (which is projected to be 5.91%), and they will increase the salary schedule and the health benefits contribution by the per ADA % increase. That means the health benefits contribution is projected to be $1186 per month. They will then issue a retro check for August to make up the difference. We will follow the same procedure the following school year.
 
In addition, next year, the transition to all-day K will begin. Schools currently on all-day K waivers will become permanent all-day K sites. These schools (Citrus, McManus, Chapman, Little Chico Creek and Rosedale) will receive the $1300 budget for one more year. The timeline for schools transitioning is listed below:
 
2018-2019: all current schools + Hooker Oak (6 schools)
2019-2020: all current schools + Emma Wilson and Sierra View (8 schools)
2020-2021: all current schools + Shasta and Parkview (10 schools)
2021-2022: all current schools + Marigold and Neal Dow (all 12 school)
 
CUTA and the District will be writing the contract language that reflects the MOU we developed with the District for all-day K. It is very important that K teachers contact us and let us know how the transition is proceeding so that we can address problems as they arise and make sure that the final contract language is as effective and complete as possible. The paragraph below describes the minimums the District has agreed to meet at all-day K sites.
 
All-day K will follow the extended day schedule and teachers will be responsible for 250 daily instructional minutes. Additional minutes that kindergarteners are at school will be covered by aides. All-day K classrooms will have 2.5 hours of aide time per day to be used in the K classroom. Teachers will receive a $1300 classroom budget for the first two years to supplement their classroom materials for the longer day. Kindergarten teachers will receive prep time comparable to a first grade teacher in terms of minutes: 18 half days for prep and 10 sessions (65 minutes) of prep time delivered by a prep time specialist.
 
Additionally, next year, many members will have new prep time protection. The language states that these members (including, but not limited to, counselors, nurses, SLPs, teacher librarians, elementary resource teachers, and Title I teachers) will receive prep time comparable to site colleagues without using a sub. If a member is unable to schedule prep time because of schedule constraints, he or she should talk to his or her administrator to fix the problem. If the administrator cannot fix the problem, the member needs to contact CUTA.
 
We are continuing negotiations currently. Topics we are discussing include, but are not limited to:

• Maternity leave/child bonding leave
• Elementary PD during the school day
• Independent study
• Caseloads
• New District off-campus online school working conditions
  
• Special education
•  titles in contract
• Return rights after a leave
• Donated sick leave
• PN days

 
It was a very productive year in negotiations. We plan to continue the positive relationship with the District. They have been generous, honest, and open partners in negotiations.
 
Thank you for taking the time to stay informed.
 
Charlie Snyder
Bargaining Chair
Chico Unified Teachers Association

---