Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Association Leave topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New state association‑leave law prompts caution; Lakeland staff recommend MOU and legal review
Summary
The LEA and district agreed to delay final language for association (union) leave until state guidance and legal review are available; participants suggested a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to record interim expectations while statute interpretation is finalized.
Discussion of association leave centered on a new state law set to take effect July 1. The LEA representative said the law’s details are still being interpreted and recommended waiting for counsel to draft language that will hold up to legal review.
Jason Bradbury (LEA facilitator) urged caution: “I’ve been in weekly meetings with all the state people and learn more each week,” he said, and proposed using an MOU or handling association‑leave specifics after the main negotiated items are finalized. The district agreed it would also wait for additional clarification to avoid drafting language that might conflict with state requirements.
Why it matters: Association‑leave language can carry financial exposure (fines were discussed in a range participants cited up to $2,500) and operational implications for facility use and on‑site association activity. Both sides agreed that aligning district processes with statutory requirements and counsel’s guidance is the prudent path.
Next steps: District and LEA counsel will draft or review proposed language and consider an MOU or separate policy to memorialize interim agreements pending legal interpretation; staff will report back at a subsequent bargaining session.
