Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Relations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board upholds district denial of CEA grievance over proposed Coquille Valley Elementary schedule
Summary
After a public grievance hearing, the board voted to uphold the district's decision to deny the Coquille Education Association's grievance concerning a proposed move toward single-subject instruction at Coquille Valley Elementary; superintendent said no unilateral implementation occurred and agreed to bargain.
The Coquille School District 8 board heard a grievance appeal from the Coquille Education Association (CEA) on April 9 over the district's proposed schedule changes at Coquille Valley Elementary (CVE). After presentations from both sides, the board voted to uphold the district's denial of the grievance.
CEA representatives argued the district's proposals constitute a change in working conditions that requires bargaining under the collective bargaining agreement. The union's presentation said the district's initial rollout and public messaging created anxiety among teachers, that multiple teachers would be forced into single-subject roles requiring different endorsements, and that stakeholder engagement and supporting data were insufficient. "The change from an elementary model to a junior high model certainly includes changes to job responsibilities," the union's representative said during the hearing.
Superintendent Gallagher and district staff told the board they have not implemented any unilateral change and that the district has agreed to bargain. Gallagher said a schedule proposal originated in collaboration with staff and that an MOU was offered to address endorsement, testing and study-time supports: "We have agreed to bargain," Gallagher said, noting the district approved a one-year trial schedule proposed with teacher input and that additional negotiation remained.
Board members asked both sides questions about timeline and the bargaining process. Union witnesses said teachers took anonymous surveys and consistently reported they did not support the proposed model; district staff said weekly meetings and listening sessions had occurred and that they had tried to schedule bargaining meetings.
After moving into executive session for legal review, the board returned to open session and voted to uphold the district's denial of the grievance. The motion to uphold the denial passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition. The board also directed the board chair to draft a written response to the union's grievance for the record.
The board's action preserves the district's current denial while the parties continue bargaining options or other administrative steps. The superintendent said the district remains willing to meet and negotiate with the union on implementation details.
