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BCSD, BCEA Ratify Agreement for 2022-23 School Year
We are pleased to announce that the Blaine County Education Association and the Blaine County School District Board of Trustees have jointly ratified a new master agreement for the 2022-2023 school year. This agreement is the result of a five-day process that employed a “consensus framework” expertly facilitated by Diane Groves, a specialist in dispute resolution. The “consensus model” emphasizes careful listening, thoughtful discussion, and pursuit of the best possible outcome for the district, our staff, our students, and the community at large.
We considered several critical issues facing the BCSD and its staff, including financial constraints, the recently completed Classification and Compensation study, and workplace improvements. Entry level compensation for new staff has not been adequately addressed for many years and the new Master Agreement provides long overdue increases in compensation to staff at the lower end of the pay scale and additional compensation for veteran teachers that appropriately reflects their experience and expertise.
We also agreed to a comprehensive review of the teaching experience of all instructional staff and to adjust current classifications appropriately. While the work required to make such adjustments will be extensive and time consuming, we believe it will make a significant improvement in our ability to retain our high-quality educators, who are dedicated to the critical goal of continuing improvement in student achievement. We also established a “constant negotiation” process by which issues related to the Master Agreement can be discussed and explored throughout the year rather than compressed into a few days of discussion near the end of the school year.
The 2022-2023 school year, like any year, will bring with it a host of challenges, some of which are predictable and others yet unknown. We are better prepared today to face those challenges because of our work together as one district on behalf of each child entrusted to our care.