Will Lead to Staff and Program Loss for 2012-13 and Beyond
In a vote on Friday afternoon, the Freeport Teachers Association has rejected a proposal to modify the existing collective bargaining agreement. As a result, the district is expected to have to eliminate at least 20 teaching positions, along with absorbing impacts to a broad array of student programs and services, which could include changes to enrichment, class size, student activities, electives, and conversion of full day Kindergarten to half day, among others.
With several hundred ballots cast, the vote was narrowly defeated by a margin of 54% - 46%.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) developed between district leaders and the union specified a change in the current collective bargaining agreement that called for a deferment of 1% of the 1.5% increase in salary for the 2012-13 school year and deferment of step (teachers would still receive the salary increase and step increase, but not in 2012-13). In addition, a number of other minor modifications regarding personal time and work hours favoring members of the unit were included in the MOU. Prior discussions had focused on a complete freeze in salary and step in return for guarantees of no job loss, but this concept was rejected by union leadership.
"We are very disappointed in the outcome," said Board of Education President Debra McQuillan. "Our community has a reasonable expectation that students get the programs and services they need. Broadly speaking, teachers were being asked to defer 1% of their salary to preserve programs and the jobs of 20 of their colleagues. Given the financial situation all school districts face, it is only with the support of our teachers that we make it through this difficult time."
The union President has indicated that the membership has spoken, and considers the matter closed.
John Gross, the district's attorney who provides labor relations advice and representation to the Board and Superintendent, indicated this proposal was typical of many that are being considered in school districts across the state. "In fact, we are seeing unions and districts agreeing to contract modifications in many other districts that are not deferments, as in this case, but new agreements that are lowering costs in order to preserve jobs and student programs and services," he said. "It is quite unusual to see rejection of an MOU that is, on balance, exceedingly fair to both parties."
All administrators in the district, including the Superintendent, have already agreed to a 0% increase for the 2012-13 school year. "The administrators recognize the gravity of the situation," said Dr. Kishore Kuncham, Superintendent of Schools. "And by the closeness of the vote, I think it is fair to assume that many teachers do as well. We are sorry we have to relay this outcome to our community."