The Konocti school board held a public hearing on Wednesday, March 21, regarding settlement of the district”s agreement with the Konocti Education Association (KEA).
The hearing was characterized with dissatisfied comments from many of the educators present, who accused the school board of disrespect . The speakers” statements were punctuated by applause from the packed meeting-room audience.
The chief point of opposition appeared to be that although Konocti educators received a 5.9-percent cost of living increase, the district did not increase the KEA salary schedule. KEA negotiators had asked for an increase to the schedule by 1 percent.
The district offered KEA a one-time, 1-percent payment off of the salary schedule but, according to a letter by Reed Leiferman, KEA negotiator, the association voted unanimously to reject this at a Feb. 22 Executive Council meeting. As brought up by one educator during Wednesday”s public hearing, the 1-percent, one-time payment would only partially offset deductions for benefits that amount to $50 per month or $600 per year out of the educators” compensation packages.
Leiferman”s letter reported that KEA otherwise voted to accept all previously agreed-upon changes that had been collectively bargained upon during 2006-2007 negotiations.
A vote among educators to ratify the contract was 45 to 19, according to KEA Vice President Paul Leiferman, who characterized the turnout as low and attributed it to apathy.
Other issues of concern included perceptions of disparity among stipends for special assignments. “I am the head coach of my season all year long,” said drama coach Tracy Lahr, comparing the duration of her responsibility to assistant-coach assignments during partial-year athletic seasons.
Oak Hill Middle School educator Sue Chisam brought up a posting on the Konocti district”s Web site that concerned an upcoming vacancy for the position of Oak Hill principal; an Observer?American staffer visited the Konocti Web site but could not find the item in question.
Maria de los Angeles Friedrich is principal at Oak Hill and was present at Wednesday”s hearing; some of the educators present expressed support for Friedrich continuing in her position.
Responding to frustration among educators about a perceived absence of dialogue, Board President Carolynn Jarrett said she shared their frustration and that she thought there was a misperception among educators concerning the board”s reasoning. “This board wants to hear from you,” Jarrett said. “This board values you.”
Responding to questions among board members about what would be a suitable forum for dialogue, district Superintendent Dr. Louise Nan suggested that the district hold a town hall meeting to address the issue.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
