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Classified-staff representative urges the board to finalize contract; explains step compression and pay concerns
Summary
During public participation a classified-staff representative described negotiations to compress step scales from 35 to 18 steps, urged timely ratification and asked the board to consider pay and parity concerns for custodial and classified staff.
A classified-staff representative addressed the board during public participation, urging members to finalize negotiations on a classified-staff contract and explaining the union’s approach to step compression and pay parity.
The speaker (S9) said the classified proposal compresses a previous 35-step scale into 18 steps "because that's what teachers have," and argued the change would reduce unfair gaps while costing the district a modest amount per employee. “We compressed that down from 35 to 18...we did an 18 steps because it is the same as the teachers,” S9 said, adding that the proposal increased costs for the classified scale by what the speaker characterized as a small per-employee amount.
The representative described the workforce composition and said many classified staff reach top pay earlier than teachers, asked for input from the board and noted that both sides were trying to find an acceptable term length for the first contract. He encouraged board members to share questions so negotiators can refine the language and avoid unintended consequences.
Board members acknowledged the public remarks and said they would continue to work with their representatives and lawyers; at the meeting a member indicated the board is considering ratifying the contract soon but requested additional clarifications on steps, years of service and fiscal impact before final approval.
What’s next: Board members and negotiators will continue the negotiations; committee and legal counsel involvement was referenced and the board expected follow-up briefings before any ratification vote.
