Bargaining Update August 9, 2016
On August 9, the Oak Grove Educators Association and the Oak Grove School District met to continue negotiations for a 2016-2019 successor contract. This was our third bargaining session held during summer break.
We reached an agreement on technology which should help ensure that every educator is able to do their job successfully. The agreement provides for training opportunities around technology and guarantees tech support for all District provided technology.
We also discussed Hours of Employment, Class Size and Compensation.
Hours of Employment We remain far from reaching an agreement. We reiterated our interest to support all educators with reasonable workloads that enable us to balance our professional and personal lives. Our current proposal includes revised hours of employment to provide more time for teachers to plan and prep, time for IEPs and 504s, and winter conferences.
Class Size We remain far from reaching an agreement. The District and Association share an interest in reducing class sizes in Oak Grove. We both recognize that Oak Grove’s K3 class sizes are larger than neighboring districts. However, the District is proposing to gradually reduce TK1 class size by the 2018-19 school year, if the Parcel Tax passes in November. We believe OGSD can and should provide students with smaller class sizes beginning in the 2017-2018 school year. Please note that 24:1 is part of the LCFF plan from the state that the District has been receiving funds for already.
Compensation We remain far from reaching an agreement. The District’s current offer is an offschedule (one time) increase of 2% for the current school year which would only become permanent if a parcel tax passes in November. This would represent one of the smallest settlements in Santa Clara County and may not occur, if voters reject the parcel tax. We are concerned about the impact on recruitment, retention and employee morale.
Together we can negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that improves learning and teaching conditions throughout OGSD. We invite all Association members returning and new to share their questions or concerns with us. Unity is power!
Coming up OGEA will be sending a SHORT survey to your personal email. Please make sure to participate.
Next Bargaining meeting: August 25, 2016
OGEA Bargaining Team:
Bob Prola OGEA - Bargaining Chair bobprola@gmail.com Belinda Lew- Itinerant Speech Chris De Graw- Sakamoto Angie Hernandez- Edenvale Jasmin Miguel- Bernal Aveneir Guevarra -Bernal John Green- CTA