District proposes clearer due-process language for teacher discipline; union urges safeguards

The district presented contract language intended to clarify when and how teachers may be disciplined, saying any change is meant to preserve progressive discipline while ensuring due process.

Andy, the district presenter, told negotiators the proposal would read in effect that “no teacher shall be disciplined rather than reduced to rank compensation without due process,” arguing the wording aligns with other districts and would ensure teachers the ability to be heard before penalties are imposed. He added the change is not intended to eliminate progressive discipline.

Union representatives said they supported clearer procedures but warned language that is too terse could allow the district to skip fact-finding. One union member recounted a prior case in which "the district terminated that teacher, but they didn't do any investigation," saying the union had to represent the teacher. Negotiators pressed for specific process steps—who investigates, timelines for inquiries and access to evidence—so the district could not move straight to severe discipline in heated incidents.

The district said it would preserve progressive-discipline principles but sought the flexibility to treat serious incidents differently than minor infractions. The presenters agreed to rework the draft to separate tenure and non‑tenure protections and to circulate a version that includes explicit investigatory steps and appeals language for review by union counsel.

Next steps: the district will revise the draft language and share the updated proposal and spreadsheet for the parties to review by email before the next session.