Public commenter says summer master schedule changes violated seniority, urges board to honor contract

Amanda Driver, speaking during the public-comment period, said a major seniority grievance began over the summer at Fillmore High School after sweeping master-schedule changes that she says violated seniority and reassignment language in the collective bargaining agreement. "A major seniority grievance began at Fillmore High School over the summer," Driver said, adding that the grievance formally named six teachers and that additional affected members chose not to participate because they feared retaliation.

Driver gave named examples: she said Heidi Coffey lost junior ELA sections that she had taught for years, Mike Jennings (11 years’ service) was denied the opportunity to teach AP psychology in favor of a new hire, and Darby Sheffley (31 years) lost a government course. She told trustees there have been "seven grievance meetings and mediation simply to have basic contract language honored" and asked the board to "direct the district to honor our seniority language and ensure that future master scheduling decisions reflect both the contract we bargained and the value we place on our veteran educators who sustain this district."

Driver also questioned whether spending thousands of dollars on lawyer fees over the grievance is the best use of district funds. The board did not take immediate action in response during the meeting; the comment was recorded during the public‑comment agenda item.