Students come first in contract negotiations

The Mat-Su School district and the Classified Employees’ Association (CEA) recently met in formal arbitration after 15 months of negotiations.

The arbitrator released his Report and Recommendations on April 9. His analysis affirmed the reasonableness of the district’s bargaining position.

The reality of the financial crunch in the school district comes from many sources. This situation requires we seek to contain costs at all levels. I value highly the work of all district employees and all CEA members are certainly among these. Each is important to the district and to the accomplishment of the district’s mission. I am hopeful the CEA will consider the arbitrator’s recommendations and return to the table prepared to reach a new agreement consistent with the arbitrator’s analysis, thoughtfulness and recommendations.

In my view, if a common understanding was arrived at on three issues, the negotiation of the contract would advance. These issues are:

n Health insurance.

n Employee leave package.

n Recognition of the financial realities of the district as a determining factor in negotiations.

CEA and our entire educational community need to keep in mind that the next contract will go a long way toward determining the Mat-Su School District’s long-term financial health. Some 88 percent of the district’s budget is allocated to salaries, wages and benefits. Education is an arena that is rich in human resources.

This is reasonable because children are the district’s priority. Accomplishing this job requires that caring and responsible adults be employed.

What isn’t reasonable is the expectation that wages and benefits must increase regardless of impact. The other 12 percent of the district’s budget funds other necessities such as heat and lights for classrooms, textbooks and instructional materials, as well as a variety of equipment to keep the schools safe and functioning every day.

There isn’t a cushion to expand the costs of one area of the budget without it overtaking or crowding out another. Layer this on top of the fact that despite more funding coming to the school district each year, costs are rising much faster and are exceeding those additional revenues.

This is the crux of the analysis the arbitrator made after listening to the proposals and supporting evidence presented by the CEA and the school district.

Jobs across the district are at stake in what is now being negotiated. Financial problems are already causing schools to cut programs, crowd more kids into classrooms and reduce district positions.

George Troxel is superintendent of Mat-Su School District.