Columbus City Schools and Columbus Education Association Reach Conceptual Agreement
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Columbus City schools reached a conceptual agreement with the Columbus Education Association early Thursday morning after more than 12 hours of negotiations with federal mediators.
CEA members will consider and vote on ratification of the comprehensive concept agreement. A large membership meeting is planned for the weekend, with the CEA core negotiating team recommending ratification, potentially ending the three-day strike, unions said.
The Board will vote on the agreement following ratification of the CEA. If the board and unions approve the deal, in-person classes will resume for students on Monday.
“This transaction would not have been possible without the unwavering support of parents, community members, organized workers and local businesses in Columbus,” said CEA President John Conegrio. Nearly 4,500 unions represent teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, psychologists and other educational professionals.
Districts will continue virtual learning on Thursdays and Fridays, so teachers can use those days to “prepare to return to school on Monday.” is directed to.
Columbus City Board of Education President Jennifer Adair said, “Although details cannot be disclosed at this time, this agreement recognizes the Commission’s commitment to improving student achievement, the important work of CEA members, and enhancing the learning environment. Thing.
Negotiation sessions were held on the third day of the teachers’ strike and the first day of district-wide classes. Because many students had trouble logging on to her class remotely, joining her class, or picketing with her teacher.
CEA spokesperson Regina Fuentes said: “We recognize the sacrifices made by students, parents and teachers alike in the past three days as they fought for a school worthy of Columbus students.” rice field. It is a modern school commitment with heating and air conditioning, small class sizes, and a well-balanced curriculum that includes art, music and physical education. ”
Columbus City School Strike:Students Join Teachers on Picket Lines | Live Updates
What are the districts and unions discussing?
Among the things unions want from their districts, they continue to say that some of the biggest pain points for unions are:
- A written guarantee of when a particular school will receive a functioning heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system
- small class
- Full-time teachers of art, music and physical education
- more planning time for teachers
- Maximum number of class hours per day
- “Other working conditions that recruit and retain the best educators for out-of-school students.”
According to a copy of the unfair labor practices charge, early in negotiations, the union offered districts an 8% annual increase for three years on each stage of the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 salary scale. requested. The school board said he sued the union on August 3rd.
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An 8% increase increases the salary range from $53,286 to $116,293.
CEA Chairman John Conegrio did not confirm to Dispatch at Monday’s picket line that an 8% wage increase is still what unions are asking for.
On August 18, the last negotiating session between the CEA and the district before the union decided to strike, the district offered a proposal that touched on some of what the union wanted.
This included smaller classes in grades K-5 with 28 students or less, which was reduced to 27. Her 30 days paid leave for new parents. Contract to hire 25 new full-time nurses, specialists, and other support her staff. Dedicated day planned by teachers.
Regarding salaries, the district has offered the union a 3% annual salary increase for three years.
The proposal also said the board has contracts and/or has already committed funding to install air conditioning in all schools except Mifflin Middle School. It has Central Air and is one of the schools to be replaced by a new middle school in the district’s proposed facilities master plan.
District spokesman Jacqueline Bryant said seven of the 13 buildings had HVAC upgrades scheduled to be completed on Wednesday, while another six are scheduled to be completed in mid-to-late September.
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