Teachers warn of strike at school board meeting

PALMER — Of the 18 members of the public who spoke at the Mat-Su Borough School District School Board meeting, all 18 asked for the school district to return to the negotiating table and settle the teachers contract.

On Tuesday, the Matanuska Susitna Education Association began proceedings for a strike vote that will conclude ballots from 1,100 members by Friday. During the first public comment period, all nine of the speakers spoke in support of the teachers. Occupational therapists, middle school librarians, former graduates and parents of current MSBSD students all voiced their concern with the contract negotiations that stalled on Aug. 26.

“We continue to reinvent the face of public education. We offer options for families to work from home, school or both. We start a completely new online curriculum with virtually no training. We teach in the middle of a pandemic. Teachers stepped up to the plate and are figuring it out and making it happen once again and what do we get in return, less compensation,” said Gina Machini. “The school board needs to continue negotiations even when things are hard. The ball is in your court. You are elected to lead district. Return to the table and let’s get this contract settled.”

Those sitting in the socially distanced audience wore red in support of educators. After members of the public would speak, the supporters in red would stretch their arms in the air above their heads and shake them to show support in lieu of applause. Many chose to point out the lack of pension or social security in Alaska and the comparatively lower salaries than the four other largest school districts in the state.

“I just want the public to know I definitely don’t think a strike is a win and obviously the last proposed offer is clearly not felt to be a win either. I don’t know of the last time a school board proposed an increase as much as what was proposed at the table however that being said it wasn’t the right proposal,” said School Board Member Ryan Ponder.

The gap between the school district’s ‘last, best’ offer and the proposal submitted by MSEA is largely contingent on pay increases for the 2020 school year. The District has proposed a 1.75 percent salary increase beginning in 2021 after a $1,500 bonus this year while MSEA is proposing a two percent increase beginning in 2020.

“We need teachers for the future generation and thinking about what Mr. Ponder said about the guiding principles, the stewardship, the accountability, empathy, the quality, integrity, respect, collaboration and commitment,” said Dr. Jill Valerius. “As a community member I have not seen these esame guiding principles being shown with regard to dealing with the teachers and the contract so I would encourage you please to sit down with the bargaining team again. I think that there is a good outcome here but it is going to take more communication and for that we will all benefit.”

Following the presentation of Advanced Placement curriculum by Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani and a presentation on the hold harmless clause for base student allocation funding by Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Luke Fulp, the second public comment period was completely full of teacher support. Following another nine members of the public who asked for the district to return to the bargaining table, public comment was closed after one full hour with more members of the public left unable to speak.

“I do appreciate Dr. Trani and the transparency which he has shown to what’s going on. I appreciate the board supporting him in that and I think transparency as the public has asked for is very important and I think the letters and things that went out were just that, transparency as to what’s happening,” said School Board Member Jeff Taylor.