Four unions OK pacts with school District; one still negotiating

Libby District 4 school officials Tuesday evening delayed the start of their monthly meeting by 32 minutes but emerged from group talks to approve contracts with four of the five unions it negotiates personnel contracts.

Negotiations, which have been ongoing for weeks, began at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and at 7:12 p.m., District 4 Superintendent K.W. Maki asked a waiting group of administrators and the public to be patient while board representatives negotiated.

“Give us just a (few more minutes),” Maki told the group waiting in the Administration Building’s Little Theatre for the meeting.

At 7:30 p.m., the board emerged and minutes later, Board President Tracy Comeau began the meeting that ultimately announced an agreement with 80 percent of the district’s unions.

By 8:45 p.m., the board unanimously approved contract agreements with the LPA (Libby Paraprofessionals Association), the LLBA (Libby Lunch Bunch Association), the AFSCME (American Federation of School Custodial Maintenance Employees) and the LEA (Libby Educators Association).  The motion to accept the contracts was made by Bruce Sickler and seconded by Les Nelson. Only board member Amy Fantozzi was absent for the vote.

The LPA, which represents the district’s paraprofessionals, consists of 19 members; the LLBA, which represents the cafeteria workers, consists of five people; the AFSCME, which is a national group, represents janitors and custodians, consists of 10 people, and the LEA, which represents teachers and comprises the largest group, has 88 members.

Specifics of the contracts were not released, but it was made public that all four groups agreed to “zero pay raises.” However, all groups were allowed pay increases for the “steps” program, which reward members for longevity. The LEA is the only group that was granted “lane” pay increases, which award additional compensation for achievements made in continuing education.

The only contract that still is being negotiated is that of the LAEOP, which represents the district’s six office secretaries.

“We have an ongoing issue that has gone on for several years, which we are trying to resolve,” Board President Comeau said. “They’re not unwilling to accept a zero percent pay increase, but the issue is longstanding.”

Added Maki: “We’re pretty much there, but I don’t know how much longer it could take.”

Maki was asked whether the lack of a contract could result in a work stoppage, and the superintendent said: “I wouldn’t think so.”

Board member Lee Disney noted the willingness of district employees to accept the “zero percent pay increases,” and he specifically mentioned their agreement to pay higher deductibles for insurance. Recently, the board approved  increases of $500 additional in deductibles for district employees’ health plans. Deductibles, varying with plans, went from $2,000 to $2,500 and from $3,000 to $3,500.

In other action, the board:

• Accepted the resignations of Margee Wilson and Joe Lewinsohn and terminated Phil Spencer;

• Extended contracts to Heidi Raab, a psychologist for $53 an hour and up to 40 eight-hour days; to Bruce Benda for activities ticket sales at $5,150 a year; Ann Walker of assistant volleyball coach; Jackie Deshazer of assistant basketball coach; and approved a $20 an hour salary for summer school staff of certified teachers;

• Agreed to renew its membership  to the Montana Quality Education Coalition for an annual dues of $2,500;

• Agreed to renew a membership to the Montana School Board Association for $7,387, a group to which the district can look for legal help;

• Approved transportation routes for the 2011-12 school year. The routes, despite the closing of Asa Wood, are virtually the same as last year, Maki said;

• Approved the renewing of Jael Prezeau and Rik Rewerts as the district’s Title IX officers.