Negotiations over Durango School District 9-R teacher and support staff salaries will proceed to a mediation process after the unions and the school district failed to reach a consensus Monday.
The Durango Education Association and the Durango Education Support Professionals Association – the collective bargaining units representing licensed and unlicensed staff respectively – were clear from the beginning of compensation negotiations on April 30 that members would not accept a contract that did not include a cost of living adjustment to the step-rate plans in place.
DEA and DESPA began negotiations by asking for a 15% cost of living adjustment to the compensation steps. Negotiators for the district initially offered a flat rate salary increase for all district staff members and the suspension of all natural movement on the step plan, and proceeded to offer multiple options that included suspension of natural movement and one-time stipends.
By the end of negotiations Monday, after more than 12 hours of bargaining in total, the district offered a 1% increase on top of natural movement and minor desired adjustments to the calendar. This did not satisfy DEA and DESPA negotiators, who had reduced their ask to a 5% cost of living adjustment.
The parties have struggled to agree on whether it is appropriate to use $7.1 million in unrestricted general fund balance to pay for the raises staff members are requesting next year. Unions contend that the district holding nearly 30% of its budget in reserve in some capacity is inappropriate given what they say is a dire need for increased compensation.
District administrators and officials have so far been unwilling to tap into the non-replenishing savings to cover annual expenditures, and say that sizable fund balance is important to maintaining a strong credit rating, which enables the district to secure beneficial interest rates and make the most of its bonds.
After holding brief, independent meetings with each side, facilitator Dennis Carlson declared that he believed the two sides to be at impasse. This is the first time in at least 14 years that the parties have failed to reach an agreement.
“We were hopeful at the beginning of the day, because the district did come back with a cost-of-living increase, which is what we have been asking for,” said DEA negotiator and second grade teacher Ameryn Maestas. “Unfortunately, the 1% isn’t adequate and it’s not ratifiable by our association.”
Anna Barstatis, the registrar at Durango High School and lead negotiator for DESPA, said unions were disappointed it took so long to receive an offer that fell within their parameters.
However, Barstatis said, “I do think it bodes well for the rest of what we’re going to do.”
In an email to The Durango Herald sent by 9-R spokeswoman Karla Sluis, Executive Director of Human Capital Laura Galido did not directly answer why administrators did not make an offer within the unions’ stated parameters until late Monday. Instead, Galido laid out the philosophy of the interest-based negotiation style in use.
“In an interest-based process, the groups work collaboratively to focus on identified underlying interests that are identified through story rather than from stated positions,” she wrote. ”... This process emphasizes understanding the underlying interests of all parties.”
The parties are now working to identify a suitable third-party mediator to conduct the next meeting as the parties try to avoid formal impasse procedures.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
