NEA-KCK President Patricia Hodison said today that teachers have requested a fact-finder in their ongoing contract negotiations with the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools.
She said the two sides last met Tuesday night for mediation, and it was not successful. The two sides are working on the current year’s contract.
The next step is fact-finding. During fact-finding, a third party will be assigned to listen to the two sides, and then to make a nonbinding recommendation, she said. After the recommendation there will be a session to see if the two sides can come to an agreement, she added.
Hodison said a fact-finder request is most likely to be acted upon in the new year.
According to Hodison, the two sides were unable during mediation to come to an agreement on salary and nonsalary issues.
The teachers are asking for changes to the district’s salary structure proposal. According to Hodison, the teachers are asking for more competitive salaries especially beyond the third or fourth year. Hodison stated the district could implement non-salary issues with little effort and resources.
The teachers are requesting additional time to fulfill professional responsibilities and address individual student needs within the workday, Hodison stated.
Concerning due process, the teachers are asking the district to add contract language that restores an appeal hearing that was removed by the state Legislature two years ago. Some other districts have added contract language on due process.
“Without time, professional respect and compensation, we will not become a top 10 district,” Hodison stated.