The LTA Bargaining Team met again for contract negotiations with the district on June 16.  The district began by presenting an overview of the LCAP/LCFF regulations and requirements and a snapshot of the district’s 14/15 budget.  The district also provided a projection of what a 3% salary increase would cost the district over the next 3 years.  The district then, finally, presented a complete comprehensive proposal the included all previous proposals as well as new proposals on salary and class sizes.  Their proposals offer a 3% salary increase for 14/15 and an MOU to maintain class-size averages at 24-to-1 for grades TK-3 for as long as LCFF continues to fully fund CSR.

download Bargaining Update #4

download the district’s complete proposal (6-16-14)

This is all very disappointing and offers nothing more than LCFF already requires.  One of the lessons learned from QEIA was the importance of small (20:1) classes in TK-3 and smaller-than-29 classes in 4-8.  On salary, 3% is less than neighboring districts with smaller reserves and smaller LCFF apportionments got THIS year.  The district’s proposals are, obviously, unacceptable.  But nothing is final yet, and the LTA Bargaining Team will continue working over the summer to create comprehensive counterproposals that reflect the priorities of the membership, realistic numbers on salary and class sizes, and equitable outcomes for all.  The next scheduled dates for bargaining are September 5^th and September 15^th.

The Lennox Teachers Association is committed to improving the learning environment for students and the working conditions for teachers in Lennox.  We believe our proposals will help meet the needs of teachers and assist the district in this new era of Common Core and LCFF/LCAP.  It was our desire to reach an agreement before the end of the school year, but not at the expense of achieving important goals that will help our students, empower our members, and be consistent with the priorities of the Lennox community.  Summer is now upon us.  When we return to school in August, we are prepared to show the district and School Board just how important improving learning and working conditions are to us.