Colfax School Board, teachers agree to talk about reductions

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Aug 25, 20110

After several state-led mediation sessions, Colfax School District and the local teacher’s union Aug. 16 signed off on a memorandum of understanding which says the two sides will discuss the issue of teacher layoffs. The memorandum was deemed necessary bbecause the layoff disputed had grown contentious to the point of not being discussed.

The mediation sessions were attended by a Washington state mediator from the Public Employees Relations Commission, Colfax Educaton Assocaiton President Cary Cammack and four other members, along with Colfax Supt. Michael Morgan and business manager Reece Jenkin.

“We’re feeling that we can discuss it now as a true issue,” said Morgan.

“We were pleased that they were willing to go that direction,” said Cammack.

The next step is for the C.E.A. to ratify the memorandum, then the school board would need to do the same at their meeting Sept. 12. Actual start of the discissopms will be in November.

As of now, the teacher reduction-in-force procedure based on seniority only.

The district is aiming for more flexibility, a way to “categorize,” while accounting for seniority.

Cammack said the goal of the teachers is something that can serve both sides.

“Something that would work for both the teachers and the district,” he said.

Each school district sets its own policy.

“There are probably as many different models as there are school districts in the state,” said Morgan, who has served as superintendent .for five years after five years as principal of Colfax High School.

“We will be looking into other districts,” said Cammack. “To see if there are some ideas we can bring to ours.”

Cammack has taught music in the Colfax District for 20 years. He has been head of the C.E.A. for five years.

Colfax School Board will meet Monday at 7:30 in the district office.