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Othello superintendent outlines staffing-plan timeline, stresses talks with teachers’ union
Summary
Superintendent Pete told the board the district will present a staffing action plan by Nov. 25 after meetings with OEA/PSE leadership and school stakeholders; final decisions will depend on the state apportionment and year-end accounting.
Superintendent Pete told the Othello School District board the district is developing a staffing plan tied to sustainable budgets and labor collaboration, and that he expects to deliver a plan of action by Nov. 25.
Pete said the district has met with OEA leadership on Sept. 16 and again on Sept. 18, met operations directors on Sept. 11 and recently briefed principals and assistant principals as the proposal has evolved. "We've had a chance to meet with OEA, their leadership group," he said. "Now once that happens, we also on the next chunk there, I wanna let you know who else has seen it." He added that school visits and staff conversations would begin the week after the meeting to put components of the plan in front of teachers and classified staff.
The superintendent emphasized that the district's ultimate decisions will depend on the state's apportionment and year-end spending: "When the apportionment comes out from the state of Washington ... and also where our year end ends up, how much more did we spend last year than we had come in? That will drive some of these decisions as well." He linked the timeline to practical calendar constraints but reiterated the Nov. 25 target so impacted employees have time to process potential changes.
Board members thanked district staff for engaging OEA. Director Gerber said the collaborative approach will smooth a difficult process and the board welcomed ongoing communication. The superintendent asked board members to direct staff or community questions to association leaders as the primary communicators.
Votes at a glance: The board approved the meeting agenda (motion moved by Director Gerber, seconded; recorded outcome: passed 3–0) and later approved required approvals (motion moved by Director Gerber; recorded outcome: passed 3–0).
What happens next: superintendent and central-office staff will continue school visits and stakeholder conversations this week; the board will receive the planned action by the stated Nov. 25 target, and any staffing changes will be determined after the state apportionment and fiscal-year accounting.
