Marysville teachers frustrated by lack of contract with district

By J.J. Jensen
Times Snohomish County bureau

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Nearly six months after their state-record 49-day strike, Marysville teachers still don't have a new contract, and their frustration with the district is mounting.

Teachers union President Elaine Hanson said yesterday that the 650-member Marysville Education Association has scheduled a general-membership meeting April 15 with hopes it'll have a contract to approve, though no contract talks are scheduled between now and then.

If there's no contract to vote on that day, Hanson said, teachers will discuss options on what steps to take next, including a future strike.

"What we're looking for is for this board to step up and offer a fair contract," Hanson said. "We've been in the classrooms and working and providing a quality education. They recognize that and they need to do what the previous board didn't, and that's offer a fair contract."

Last September, Marysville teachers voted to strike after the district refused to back away from proposals to move to a state salary schedule and keep a local pay schedule at its current rate for teachers' extra duties outside the classroom. The union opposed both moves.

A Snohomish County Superior Court judge ordered the striking teachers back to work Oct. 20 under the terms of their previous contract. According to the district's attorney, district spokeswoman Judy Parker said, the judge's injunction stands until a new contract is ratified, and walking off the job would violate the court order.

In November, three new board members, who ran on anti-incumbent, anti-superintendent platforms and were backed by the teachers union, were elected to office. The two remaining board members now face possible recall elections.

The new board members, Vicki Gates, Carol Jason and Michael Kundu, negotiated a $340,000 buyout of Superintendent Linda Whitehead's contract last month and have grappled with a $2.4 million shortfall. But there's been little progress in settling the teachers contract.

"We would've liked to have a contract much earlier but we're focused on the classroom," Hanson said. "I'm worried that if it goes much longer it could cause some divisiveness in the community."

Board President Gates said resolving a teachers contract remains a priority. Since the new board members have taken office, she noted, interim Superintendent Paul Sjunnesen has investigated district finances to see what contract improvements may be possible, and negotiators have revised parameters.
 
"We're hoping we can come to an agreement on a contract anytime," Gates said. "Obviously everyone wished it was done already."

The board has scheduled an executive session for Monday to discuss bargaining.

The union's general meeting will be the first since Oct. 20, when teachers voted to return to work. Both sides remain optimistic about settling a contract soon.

J.J. Jensen: 425-745-7809 or jjensen@seattletimes.com

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