REDMOND, Oregon – The Redmond Education Association and Redmond School District reached a tentative agreement on a contract for the 2011-2012 school year Wednesday morning. REA members ratified the agreement with an overwhelming 84% vote in favor this afternoon. The joint settlement agreement proposed by both parties is not official until ratified by the RSD Board of Directors which is anticipated Wednesday, June 22.
“Reaching an agreement required diligence and flexibility by everyone involved,” RSD Superintendent Shay Mikalson said. “We are relieved to have an agreement in place before the end of the school year.”
Under the tentative settlement, teachers have agreed to forego a 1.8% cost of living increase deferred from last year. In addition, the 190 day contract will be reduced by six days, five non-instructional days and one student contact day, the same number eliminated during the current year. The agreement further provides licensed employees with delayed step and column increases that will occur two-thirds of the way through the 2011-2012 school year.
“Redmond teachers are solidly behind this proposal and we look forward to starting the 2011-2012 school year with a collective bargaining agreement in place,” said Karen Gray, incoming REA President.
Members of bargaining teams for each group have been meeting since February to reach an agreement that would help balance a budget that included a nearly $9 million dollar shortfall.
