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Board upholds district denial of teachers' grievance over CVE schedule change
Summary
The board held an open grievance hearing with the Coquille Education Association over a proposed 5th/6th-grade schedule change at Coquille Valley Elementary and voted to uphold the superintendent's denial of the grievance, directing the chair to draft a response to the union.
The Coquille School District board voted to uphold the district administration's decision denying a grievance filed by the Coquille Education Association (CEA) challenging a proposed schedule change at Coquille Valley Elementary (CVE).
At an open hearing, CEA representatives argued the district's proposal—moving toward a single-subject model for 5th grade—amounted to a change in working conditions requiring bargaining under the contract. The association's representative summarized the union's case: "The district's proposal has led to a wide variety of issues that affect students, families, teachers, and classified staff," and emphasized alleged contract breaches and stakeholder engagement failures. The CEA said teachers felt pressured and that the district's initial communications suggested staff might have to reapply for positions, creating uncertainty and the perception of layoff-like procedures.
Superintendent Gallagher countered that the district has implemented no unilateral change and has agreed to bargain. "This grievance, there is no contract violation," Gallagher said, adding that the district has met with teachers, accepted a teacher-developed schedule for a one-year trial, and remains willing to negotiate specific terms including endorsement support and timelines.
After deliberation, the board voted to sustain the superintendent's denial of the grievance and directed the board chair to draft a written response to the CEA. The motion to uphold the denial passed on a voice vote; the board also moved briefly into executive session earlier in the evening to review legal advice related to the matter.
The hearing included both factual data and sharply different interpretations of district intent: CEA cited state testing comparisons and classroom impacts at CVE, while the district cited existing policies and an offer to try the teacher-developed schedule for one year while bargaining continued. The board's action resolves the grievance at the district level for now; the parties may pursue further steps available under the contract or applicable law.
