Initial Proposals

On February 3rd, REA met with the District to make agreements on ground rules and share initial proposals, as well as discuss dates and locations for future bargaining sessions. Both sides agreed to rotate locations for sessions. At this time, the locations will rotate between RHS Library and the Edgefield building. Future bargaining dates are as follows:

• Tuesday 2/17 – Edgefield – 5:00-8:00
• Tuesday 3/3 – RHS Library – 5:00-8:00
• Tuesday 4/7 – Edgefield – 5:00-8:00
• Tuesday 4/28 – RHS Library – 5:00-8:0
• Tuesday 5/5 – Edgefield – 5:00-8:00
• Tuesday 5/26 – RHS Library – 5:00-8:00
• Tuesday 6/2 – Edgefield – 5:00-8:00

REA Initial Proposal
While the below is not comprehensive, it covers key elements. 
General: 

• 2 Year Agreement
• Temperature in Indoor Work Spaces will meet OSHA Guidelines
• District will Give Notice Before Eliminating Instructional Programs or Tools used by Members
• Member input for PLC Time
• Increased Academic Freedom

Financials: 

• 6% COLA Increase in Year One ; 5% COLA Increase in Year Two
• Class Size and Caseload Limits and Overage Pay
• Added President’s Day as Paid Holiday
• Reimbursement for Personal Property Damaged by Students

Benefits: 

• Increase Insurance Pool from $350,000 to $500,000
• Rollover Unused Insurance Pool Dollars to Next Year
• $500 payout for members using spouses insurance
• District pays for unused Personal Days

Time: 

• 5 Planning Days Throughout the Year
• Increased Early Retirement
• Added Planning Day for those Impacted by New Curriculum or Instructional Program
• Increased Lunch Time
• 5 Days of Release Time or Paid Time for Members whose work site, subject or course taught is changed.

Other: 

• Paid Release Time For REA President
• Expanded Behavioral Support System and Clear Room Clear Procedure
• Teacher Training Program
• Language Defining Dual Language Immersion
  
  

RSD Initial Proposal
The District’s proposal leaves lots of questions. Here is what we understand about their proposal so far. 
Financials: 

• 0% COLA Increase in Year One ; 0% in Year Two ; 1% in Year Three
• Step Experience in Year One Will be Frozen (This includes both Pay next year and the Experience Applied Toward Future Years)
• Longevity Pay and Experience Toward Future Longevity Will be Frozen in the First Year 
• Cuts to Stipends in areas such as High School Drama and CTE

Benefits: 

• Decrease Insurance Pool from $350,000 to $100,000
• Sunsetting Early Retirement
• Members Would Be Barred from Accessing The Unused Portion of Their Health Insurance

Time: 

• Lesser member Directed Prep Time (Replaced with More Admin PD)
• 7.5 Hour Work Days on Fridays would be Eliminated
• Lunch Would be Reduced

Other: 

• Plan of Awareness would be Eliminated

As you can see, there are stark differences between the gains we are working on to help our members through the barrage of decreased funding and increased workload and the District’s proposal to eliminate members’ rights.

We need all members to be present at the next bargaining session – Tuesday Feb. 17 – at the Edgefield Building. 
Let the District know how you feel about their proposal!