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FFNEA raises pay, class-size and turnover concerns; resident flags icy sidewalks at McClure
Summary
A representative of the Ferguson-Florissant NEA outlined bargaining priorities and concerns including administrative turnover, eliminated stipends, larger class sizes and low starting salaries; a resident asked the district to address icy sidewalks and asked about a uniform opt-out.
During the public comment period at the Jan. 22 meeting, two speakers raised operational concerns: a resident requested sidewalk and winter-safety fixes and a union representative outlined bargaining priorities and district staffing concerns.
Cynthia Knox said cold weather had left sidewalks and steps at McClure unclear and salted and asked why sidewalks were not cleared; she also asked about an opt-out to the student uniform policy. Board leadership said Mr. Mitchell or Jane Crawford would follow up with her.
Miss Bell, speaking for the Ferguson-Florissant NEA (FFNEA), said the union will begin formal negotiations next month and listed multiple concerns affecting staff and students: frequent administrative turnover at building and district levels, reduced professional-development opportunities for support staff, the elimination of stipends for additional certifications, uneven resource distribution across schools, and increased class sizes (she said some kindergarten classrooms have 27 students while others have fewer). She also cited beginning teacher salary comparisons (from $38,063 in 2015 to $43,000 currently) and noted beginning technologist specialist pay rose from $32,425 to $34,764.
The union representative said the FFNEA will seek proposals on salaries and working conditions during collective bargaining and urged continued negotiation and dialogue with acting superintendents and the board.
Ending: Board members acknowledged the comments and offered to schedule follow-up meetings between FFNEA representatives and district leaders; no board action was taken during public comment.
