Ratification Results & What That Means

  In speaking about our tentative agreement, administration said this bargaining season was collaborative and openly communicative; the perspective of the bargaining team, however, is quite the opposite.  When we raised issues like increasing salaries and Master's recognition, we were ignored. When we proposed cost-saving solutions—like an early retirement bridge to Medicare for senior staff—we were ignored. When we sought non-monetary support, like giving time back, we were told it was "not bargainable." When we asked for monthly cost-cutting meetings, we were told we were "out of our lane."

This is disrespect, not collaboration. We simply asked that no educator take home less pay and that professional commitments (Master's degrees and increments) be honored. We asked that a teacher’s time be honored. We asked that a teacher’s dedication to our school district be honored. Other districts found a way to show value, which begs the question: is this district no longer willing to show that it values its hardworking teachers?  

Plain and simple: this fight is no longer about money — it is about respect. This administration has shown they do not respect their staff.

Administration believed they could refuse to talk. They believed they could deny every proposal that would increase teacher salaries, compensate Master’s degrees, offer retirement buyouts, or just make teachers flush to ensure they were not taking home less. They presumed they could squeeze us into accepting insurance increases which would cause pay cuts across the district. 

They thought we would just sit there and take it. They were wrong.

• We are asking that the Board and Administration of HSE come back to the table with an additional 1,565,107 dollars.  In doing so, we will not be forcing 80 percent of us backwards.  
• We ask that the Board and  Administration restore 30 minutes of dedicated planning time to teachers by canceling a portion of scheduled meetings. This essential time will be reinvested directly into student success, enabling teachers to properly   prepare lessons, communicate vital information to parents, and complete      necessary grading.
• We ask that the Board and Administration commit now to a goal for next year: delivering competitive and sustainable compensation for every educator. This commitment must be met by justly compensating Master's-level staff to respect advanced learning, and by correcting the salary schedule to accurately reflect and honor years of dedicated service.

To the HSEA members: Stay united. Stay loud. Stay firm. Your collective power is massive. Wear your HSEA colors, talk to colleagues and neighbors,share this email, and hold the line.

The fight for professional respect and financial dignity continues! We stood together to say NO; now, we must stand together to demand YES!