ISD 709 updates pay adjustments, ongoing negotiations and HR hiring

ISD 709 human resources told the HR Business Services Committee on Sept. 8 that the district is finalizing pay adjustments and back pay for several bargaining units and continuing negotiations with others. “With the approval of contracts for the principal's unit, the paraprofessional unit, and the EEA unit last month, we are in the process of finalizing all pay adjustments, and any back pay due for those units,” the HR report said. The committee was also told bargaining remains active. The district reported a tentative agreement with the food services unit and that it had not yet received an intent to negotiate from the DWEA and NCBAA units. Separately, Superintendent Magus told the committee that she had “shared my intent to negotiate with the board for an additional 3 year contract,” and noted that “their pay has been linked to my pay too,” which she said has implications for senior leadership compensation. HR staff said they have updated clerical job descriptions “to be more focused on the individual work of each position,” and are screening candidates for an HR manager position with interviews planned later in September. The HR department also reported 48 new employees attended new‑hire orientation on Aug. 14 — 16 non‑certified and 32 certified new hires — and said payroll is working with departments to go paperless for extra‑pay invoicing. Separately on the consent agenda, the committee reviewed proposed hourly wage changes that would raise substitute and paraprofessional rates and increase building‑operations substitute wages; HR staff said the changes are shown in the far‑right column of the attachment and are driven by market factors and prior agreements. The report also said the district is working on a recruitment and retention plan with a specific section targeting American Indian positions and will expand posting locations in coordination with parent committees. The committee did not take a recorded vote on these informational items during the meeting; staffing and wage changes were presented as part of the consent agenda for board approval at a later meeting.