Negotiations between the Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education and the unions representing the district’s employees are officially underway. Last night (Monday), the Carroll Education Association (CEA), which represents teachers, and the Carroll Educational Support Association (CESA), which represents bus drivers and other support staff, presented their proposals to school officials. Kim Klein, a high school language arts instructor, presented first on behalf of the CEA.
The existing teacher contract extends through the end of the current fiscal year, which concludes at the end of June. Kathy Brown, CESA’s chief negotiator, then provided their proposal. The key points of their request are a flat one-dollar increase to hourly wages and an additional 10 cents for every five years employed by the district. Board President, Karen Friedlein, asked Brown for the reasoning behind the one-dollar request.
Brown adds the district has consistently struggled to find enough qualified support staff, and these provisions will encourage existing staff to continue their employment with the district.
Monday’s proposals are only the start of contract negotiations. Superintendent, Dr. Casey Berlau, explains initial requests are required to be presented during an open session, but that requirement does not apply to follow-up negotiations.
The board entered an exempt session near the end of the meeting to begin discussions on the CEA and CESA requests. Berlau and Director of Business Affairs, Gary Bengtson, will schedule a meeting with the union representatives individually to begin working on the finer details. Final contracts will be brought back to the board at a future meeting for formal approval.
