Board approves tentative agreement with CSEA; district cites $181,200 immediate cost and multi-year impact

Southern Kern Unified School District board members approved a revised tentative agreement with the California Schools Employees Association (CSEA), Rosemond chapter, covering the 2023'—2026 contract period and requiring submission of costs to the county office for fiscal oversight.

District finance staff described the near-term and multi-year fiscal impact during the meeting. Mr. Irvin (district staff) said the immediate documentation to the county listed an initial proposed cost figure of approximately $181,200 tied to negotiated changes; staff estimated total ongoing costs including off-schedule and longevity adjustments at roughly $403,000 for the current year and projected additional out-year costs in the range of about $195,000 to $210,000.

The board moved, seconded and voted to approve the revised tentative agreement. CSEA had ratified the agreement at the chapter level prior to the board action, district staff said. Board members praised the bargaining team's professionalism and noted the county office's role in reviewing fiscal impact for districts.

The board also approved parallel adjustments to non-bargaining salary schedules and off-schedule payments for classified management, confidential and supervisory employees (a 3 percent off-schedule increase effective July 1, 2024), to align with the CSEA changes.

Actions recorded at the meeting are limited to board approval of the TA and the related salary-schedule adjustments. District staff noted the county office's fiscal review requirement and that the documentation was transmitted for oversight.