Negotiations Updates

• Multiple Sections from Last Session 8-23-24
• Article I Section 3 Conformity to Law
• Article I Section 4 Distribution of Agreement 
• Article II Section 1 Association Rights
• Article II Section 2 Association Membership - Deduction of Dues 
• Article II Section 3 Association Use of District Communications and Facilities
• Article II Section 5 Labor Management Meetings 
• Article III Section 3 Payroll Deductions 
• Article III Section 4 Early Notification of Retirement
• Article III Section 6C New Cert Staff Funds 
• Article III Section 6D Professional Development and Supply Allocation Funds
• Article III Section 8 Hourly Rates 
• Article III Section 9 Group Insurance
• Article III Section 9A PFML
• Article III Section 9B (NEW) VEBA
• Article III Section 11 Mileage Reimbursement
• Article III Section 12 Licenses and Fees
• Article IV Section 6 Employee Disciplinary Action
• Article IV Section 9 Assignments, Transfers and Vacancies
• Article IV Section 12 Voluntary Transfers and Reassignments
• Article IV Section 14 Auxiliary Personnel
• Article IV Section 15 Substitute Teachers 
• Article IV Section 18 School Calendar 
• Article IV Section 19 Length of Workday
• Article IV Section 20 Covering Classes
• Article IV Section 21 Secondary Teaching Assignments
• Article IV Section 22 Individual Prep Time 
• Article IV Section 24 Non-Instructional Duties 
• Article IV Section 25 Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
• Article IV Section 26 Early Childhood Assessment Team
• Article IV Section 27 Layoff and Recall 
• Article IV Section 28 Work Environment 
• Article IV Section 11 Selection Teams
• Article V Leaves 
• Article VI Sections 2-3 SEL and Classroom Visitation
• Article VI Section 4 Mentor Teacher Program
• Article VI Section 5 Staff Development
• Article VI Section 6 Student Grades 
• Article VI Section 7 ALE Staff Safety 
• Article VI Section 7 Staff Safety Student Discipline
• Article VI Section 8 Building Level Decision Making
• Article VI Section 10 FAPE
• Article VI Section 12 Case Manager Resp_Section 13 Eval Coord Resp
• Article VI Section 15 Specific Funding
• Article VI Section 16 (NEW) Prerequisites
• Article VII Support Personnel Evaluation
• Article VII TPEP
• Article IX Sections 3-4 Time Limits and Procedure

August 21, 2024 District Financial Package Proposal #8

2024-2025 Salary Schedule and Total Compensation Proposal 

2025-2026 Salary Schedule and Total Compensation Proposal

2026-2027 Salary Schedule and Total Compensation Proposal

August 22, 2024 CSD CEA Negotiations Update

August 20, 2024 District Financial Package Proposal #6

August 20, 2024 District Financial Package #6 Appendix A Tables & Total Compensation 2024-25, 2025-26, 2026-27

August 20, 2024 CSD CEA Negotiations Update

August 15, 2024, 4:12 p.m.

Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members,

I hope this message finds you well and you are enjoying your summer. I wanted to update you on the ongoing contract negotiations with the Cheney Education Association (CEA), which began in May. I appreciate the dedication and effort of both teams throughout this process.

The school board has established negotiation parameters for the district negotiations team, which include maintaining a minimum 5% fund balance, aiming for a 7% target, ensuring no reduction in staffing, and aligning with the strategic plan. The District has prioritized transparency during this negotiation to show progress, posting updates on our website at Negotiations Updates after each session beginning in May.

Our goal is to reach a competitive contract while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. To close the gap between our salaries and those of comparable districts, we have proposed adjustments based on a salary comparison. The average salary from two larger and two smaller districts in Spokane County was calculated, showing a 7.17% difference from our current salary schedule at Step 1. We identified this difference as a priority in negotiations that needed to be addressed.

To address this gap and ensure competitive salaries, our most recent proposals reflect a 7.14% increase in the first year. In the second year, we are proposing an additional 5% increase, totaling a 12.14% increase over two years, with reopener language for salaries in the 2026-27 school year. We believe this approach will attract and retain quality staff while maintaining a fiscally responsible fund balance.

From the start, we have proposed substantial increases and, in a good faith effort, have not employed a ‘lowball’ negotiation strategy. Our commitment to transparency and sustainability remains strong. I greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication of both negotiation teams.

Thank you for your continued support.  We cannot wait to see everyone back at school!

Ben

Ben Ferney, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Cheney Public Schools

August 14, 2024, 3:13 p.m.

Cheney Public Schools and Cheney Education Association Advance Negotiations

Cheney Public Schools and the Cheney Education Association (CEA) have been engaged in full open contract negotiations since May, focusing on ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment while attracting and retaining high-quality staff. The District is operating within the Board-directed negotiation parameters of maintaining a minimum 5% fund balance with a goal of 7%, creating a sustainable contract without reducing staffing, and incorporating feedback from the strategic plan, which includes the voices of staff, parents, community members, and students. The District has been transparent throughout the process, posting updates after each negotiation session since June, and they are available on the District website at www.cheneysd.org. Despite offers by the District to continue negotiations in July, CEA only agreed to one session. We remain committed to reaching an agreement before the school year begins on August 27. As of August 13, negotiations have resulted in 39 Tentative Agreements, with a proposal from the District of a 15.14% pay increase over three years. This proposal would allow the District to continue paying our teachers a competitive rate while remaining good stewards of our taxpayer dollars. 

August 9th District Financial Proposal 

August 9th CSD CEA Negotiations Update 

August 9, 2024, 7:04 p.m.

Dear Staff,

We hope this message finds you well. We would like to provide you with an update as we concluded the eleventh negotiation session this evening. 

We are working to ensure that our contract aligns with the School Board's parameters for maintaining a fund balance of 5-7%. This is essential for our district's financial health and ability to continue supporting our students and staff.

We are also committed to a sustainable contract without reducing staffing levels. This is also a School Board parameter, and we heard from our staff and community that this was a priority through strategic planning. Our goal is to maintain a supportive environment for all staff members and recognize the invaluable contributions each of you makes to our student's success.

We are working to ensure the salary scale remains competitive and fair. Our goal is to balance fair compensation with the long-term financial stability of the district. The District provided a comprehensive financial proposal that included:

• Maintaining a 7-hour workday
• Appendix A detailed 14.64% over a 3-year contract: 7.14%, 4%, and 3.5%, respectively
• Total cost of Appendix A over 3 years is in excess of $4.7 million
• 5 professional development days
• Appendices B
• Several language items

To clarify, the five professional development days remain in place as included in our most recent proposal.

Thank you for your continued dedication to Cheney Public Schools. For previous and future updates, please visit the negotiations updates webpage.