Board approves core values to begin negotiations with CSEA after public hearing

The Modesto City Schools Board of Trustees voted unanimously on April 14 to approve the district's core values and to receive initial proposals from the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 007, formally starting the public sunshining step required before collective bargaining begins.

"As required in government code, we're requesting that the board hold a public hearing to provide the opportunity for public input regarding the proposals for negotiating," said Mr. Henderson, the district negotiator, summarizing that the district has opened articles addressing absence and leaves and union rights while CSEA has opened health and welfare, pay and allowances, working conditions and reclassification and equity articles.

CSEA spoke during the hearing. "We plan to bargain in good faith and to come out with a good outcome for everyone," said the union representative (CSEA). The board then moved to approve Modesto City Schools' core values and initial proposal and to receive CSEA's proposal; Trustee Irvin moved and Trustee Lopez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The district said the listed articles will be the focus of the initial negotiations; the vote enables staff to commence bargaining under the public-recorded core values and positions. The hearing record also included a separate union comment earlier in the meeting raising concerns about recent layoffs and requesting that CSEA be included on superintendent interview panels per terms the union said appear in the parties' contract. The board did not take immediate action on that request during the meeting.

Next steps: district negotiators and CSEA will schedule bargaining sessions under the opened articles. No tentative agreement or contract change was adopted at the meeting; the vote was procedural to commence negotiations.