Board approves $54,000 compensation study; bargaining proposals posted for negotiations
Summary
The board approved a $54,000 total compensation study contract focused on certificated management (and including classified management per staff), drawing one no vote from Trustee DeYoung; the board also opened public hearings and accepted initial interest proposals for certificated negotiations from the Visalia Unified Teachers Association and the district.
The Visalia Unified School District board discussed and approved a contract to conduct a total compensation study with School Services of California, which the administration described as a review of salaries and benefits for certificated management positions and classified management staff. Chief Business Officer Nathan Hernandez and staff said the cost is $54,000 and estimated a 6–8 week timeline for completion of the study. Trustee DeYoung questioned the scope and objected to paying $54,000 for a study he said omitted some employee groups; he voted no when the motion to approve was called. The motion passed with a recorded tally of 5 yes, 1 no and 1 member out of the room.
Separately, the board opened and closed public hearings on bargaining: Patrick Hemphill, president of the Visalia Unified Teachers Association (VUTA), presented the union’s initial interests—reopening class size, salaries, benefits, elementary schedule, safety and leaves among other articles—requesting interest‑based bargaining. Assistant Superintendent Ben Dillon presented the district’s initial interests and confirmed a full reopener of the certificated contract; the board approved receiving and posting both parties’ initial proposals to begin negotiations.
During discussion, trustees acknowledged the value of positions funded with one‑time dollars and asked that labor talks and any future budget decisions weigh the impacts on students and site supports. The administration and union indicated they expect to begin negotiations in the coming months.
