Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Reclassification topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Trustees continue reclassification of 19 district office positions to April 22 after staff and employee concerns
Summary
The board voted 7-0 to continue action on a proposal to reclassify 19 district office positions into the Washoe Professional Technical Association bargaining unit and directed the superintendent to meet with impacted employees and return with recommended action.
The Washoe County School District board on April 8 continued an agenda item that would reclassify 19 district office positions into the Washoe Professional Technical Association bargaining unit, sending the matter to the April 22 meeting and directing the superintendent to meet with impacted employees and return with recommended action. The continuation passed unanimously, 7-0.
The item — described in the agenda as an action under Nevada Revised Statute NRS 288.1701 to find a community of interest — drew detailed public comment and multiple written submissions. Amy Barthel, the district’s Visual and Performing Arts coordinator, told trustees that while staff informed her her position would be excluded because she conducts evaluations, she remained concerned that job duties for many listed positions had not been fully analyzed. “It is my opinion that evaluation alone does not make this an administrator,” Barthel said during public comment.
Board members said emails from multiple employees and a series of individual conversations with impacted staff highlighted a need for more outreach and clarity. Chief Human Resources Officer Doug Owen told trustees the district had met individually with affected employees and their supervisors, and general counsel Kevin Pick warned that a finding of community of interest affects bargaining relationships and the association’s obligation to represent members.
Trustee Adam Mayberry moved to continue item 2.14 to the April 22 meeting and to direct the superintendent to continue discussions with impacted staff, provide clarity, answer follow‑up questions and return with a recommended action; Trustee Colleen Westlake seconded. The motion carried 7-0.
Ending — Trustees said the delay aims to ensure impacted employees have the information and opportunity to ask questions before the board takes a final vote on the community-of-interest finding and any resulting bargaining-unit change.
