Office personnel say bargaining stalled; chapter urges board to press for equitable settlement ahead of mediation
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Summary
Multiple office personnel and union leaders told the board that classified office staff bargaining reached an impasse and urged board members to support an equitable settlement, citing staffing pressures, increased duties and a roughly $37.7 million package of proposals the chapter presented.
Office personnel, union leaders and supporters used the board’s public comment period to urge the Edmonds School District Board to back classified staff in bargaining as the chapter moves into mediation.
Lori Velasquez, who identified herself as a long‑term employee and office manager in the district, said office personnel are ‘‘the glue that holds this district together’’ and described increasing workloads and stagnating compensation. She said chapter members had raised workplace priorities repeatedly and wanted the board to know classified employees are preparing for mediation.
Celeste Valle, president of the Edmonds office personnel chapter, told the board the chapter presented 61 proposals during bargaining and said the district rejected 39 of them. She summarized the chapter’s primary asks: a full cost‑of‑living adjustment, the same IPD (inflationary) increase other employees receive, a minimum of seven hours of office support time per day in every elementary school, longevity pay, bilingual recognition pay, additional vacation/pay, and flexibility for mandated training outside scheduled hours. Valle said the chapter’s proposals totalled "approximately $37,700,000" and urged the board to prioritize equity in forthcoming mediation.
Cindy Bartlett, speaking for office personnel, said members had not received an actual offer and that morale is affected by perceived lack of recognition. Andy Noffsiger, president of the Edmonds Education Association (EEA), and other commenters also asked the board to encourage district negotiators to bargain in good faith and to consider the role office staff play in daily school operations.
Board members who spoke during the meeting acknowledged the comments and signaled awareness of upcoming mediation. Superintendent Dr. Minor and staff did not present new bargaining offers during public comment; the speakers said they sought board attention and requested the board’s support as mediation approaches.
No action was taken during the meeting; the chapter said it will proceed to mediation. Board members may be expected to receive follow‑up briefings from staff as negotiations progress.