Paso Robles educators and administrators at impasse

February 13, 2013

PRESS RELEASE from PASO ROBLES PUBLIC EDUCATORS

On Tuesday, teachers and district officials met with a State Mediator in attempts to resolve the current bargaining impasse. No agreement was reached.

“We tried hard to find a compromise,” explained Jim Lynett, Executive Director of Paso Robles Public Educators (PRPE). “At one point we offered to agree to three non-instructional furlough days next year,” according to Lynett. The district continued to say no.

The District currently boasts a robust surplus thanks to eighteen furlough days taken by employees since March 2012.

Students have lost nearly three weeks of instruction over the last year according to Paso High history teacher, Robert Skinner.

According to a recent press release from Superintendent Dr. Kathleen McNamara district reserves are at 5.4 percent. The state required minimum is 3 percent.

At the end of the day, PRPE proposed a full school year for students and staff for next year (2013-14) and restoration of teacher salaries.

The School District’s response and final proposal was to return to a 180 day student year; a two day reduction in the teachers’ work year; a cut in teacher salaries of 4.86 percent (for a total reduction of over 5.5 percent) ;and, a reduction in contributions for retiree medical benefit for those not yet eligible for MediCare.

PRPE requested the mediator certify the impasse to fact-finding and is expecting an affirmative reply.