7 takeaways from Wellington USD 353 school board meeting
November 6
Union rejects board’s two-year contract proposal
Tentative agreement reached on teacher salaries
Proposed salary package exceeds new state funding by over $300,000
Board cites future budget fears, declining enrollment in negotiations
New pay for teachers covering administrative duties approved
Universal and parental leave items tabled to finalize deal
Issue of staggered school start times remains unresolved
Union rejects board’s two-year contract proposal
WELLINGTON, Kan. - The teachers’ union formally rejected a two-year contract proposed by the school board’s negotiating team. The board had offered its preferred salary package on the condition that the second year of the agreement would be limited to only step and column movement, with no new money added to the base salary. After caucusing, the union’s representative stated that members would not approve a multi-year deal and countered with a proposal for a single-year contract, which was ultimately accepted.
Tentative agreement reached on teacher salaries
WELLINGTON, Kan. - After lengthy debate, the school board and teachers’ union reached a tentative one-year agreement on salaries. The deal includes a $1,000 increase to each cell of the teacher salary schedule and a one-time $750 payment for all certified staff on the pay scale. The agreement came after the union rejected a proposal from the board that would have tied the pay increase to a two-year contract with significant restrictions on raises next year.
Proposed salary package exceeds new state funding by over $300,000
WELLINGTON, Kan. - The tentative salary agreement reached between the district and the teachers’ union is projected to cost more than the new funding the district received from the state. According to figures discussed at the meeting, the district’s increase in state aid for the year is $433,662. The total cost of the proposed salary and one-time payment package is estimated to be $763,878, creating a budget shortfall of over $330,000 that the district will have to cover from other funds.
Board cites future budget fears, declining enrollment in negotiations
WELLINGTON, Kan. - During salary discussions, the board’s representatives cited significant concerns about future financial stability, pointing to declining student enrollment and uncertainty over the state’s school funding formula, which is set to expire next year. The district has seen enrollment drop by over 100 students in the past two years. Board representatives argued that stretching the budget this year necessitates fiscal caution for next year, a position that led to their push for a two-year contract.
New pay for teachers covering administrative duties approved
WELLINGTON, Kan. - A new provision was approved to compensate teachers who are asked to perform administrative duties while simultaneously managing their own classrooms. The union clarified that the request was not for teachers who simply cover an office, but for those handling dual responsibilities when an administrator is out. The board agreed to the language but added a one-year “sunset provision,” meaning the policy will be reviewed and must be renegotiated next year to continue.
Universal and parental leave items tabled to finalize deal
WELLINGTON, Kan. - In a move to finalize the contract, the teachers’ union agreed to take remaining items off the table. Proposals related to universal leave and parental leave, which were listed as outstanding topics at the start of the meeting, were removed from consideration for this year’s contract. The focus remained on securing an agreement on the salary schedule, which was the most significant unresolved issue.
Issue of staggered school start times remains unresolved
WELLINGTON, Kan. - A lengthy and complex discussion about the school day schedule concluded the meeting without a resolution. The issue, which has been raised in past negotiations, centers on the desire to stagger start times for elementary and secondary schools to reduce student contact time for elementary teachers. Citing conflicts within the current contract language and the role of the district’s calendar committee, the teams agreed the issue was a “chicken and the egg” problem and decided to hold a separate meeting to draft new language for consideration in the future.
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