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Teachers’ and classified unions report bargaining progress, staffing changes and summer work
Summary
Representatives of the Ashland Education Association and the Oregon State Employees Association updated the board Aug. 8 on bargaining, summer facility work and staff departures, stressing an ongoing wage negotiation and concern about staff retention.
At the Aug. 8 meeting, two labor representatives briefed the school board on union activity, bargaining status and staffing changes.
Tia McLean, speaking for the Ashland Education Association (AEA), thanked the board and praised what she described as a collaborative tone with district leadership. She noted Randy Nash is serving as AEA vice president this year and said the union and district must finish negotiating an employment contract; “we do have some errors to fix and the contract to finish negotiating and some healing to do,” McLean said. She also acknowledged several staff departures and retirements and urged continued state advocacy so educators can afford to live in the communities they serve.
The Oregon State Employees Association (OSEA) report, presented by Steven (last name not provided in the transcript), highlighted classified staff activity over the summer: maintenance, IT upgrades, site repairs, painting and preparing schools for the school year. Steven said maintenance completed roofing work, landscape and field repairs, a new gym floor at Walker Elementary, and other campus improvements; IT worked on a data‑center upgrade, wiring, and firewall updates. He added that bargaining continues and that classified staff worry about being locked into a three‑year wage proposal.
Nut graf: Unions reported active bargaining and extensive summer work that kept facilities and systems ready for the school year, while both signaled ongoing concern about wage proposals and staffing sustainability.
Bargaining status and staffing
OSEA reported the bargaining team met recently and had five articles still open out of 24. The union said its wage proposal is the major outstanding item and it is wary of a three‑year lock‑in. AEA also described continued bargaining with the district and appreciated the superintendent’s engagement in listening sessions. Both unions indicated ongoing outreach to the community and membership in coming weeks.
Staffing changes
AEA singled out departing and retiring staff by name and role, including a part‑time arts teacher moving to full time, a humanities teacher who left for better pay elsewhere, and Jay (Japer) Skinis’s retirement after serving as a teacher and HR director. AEA framed departures as further evidence of the statewide challenge of funding educator pay so they can live locally.
Ending
Union leaders urged the board and administration to continue relationship building and prioritized wage talks and staffing stability as the district moves into the school year. The board received the reports; no formal bargaining outcomes were recorded during the meeting.
