MUSD to vote on CSEA contract, Sandy Hook Promise agreement

MARTINEZ, Calif. – Martinez Unified School District Board of Education may vote Monday to ratify its contract with its chapter of the California School Employees Association (CSEA).

It’s also scheduled to vote on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sandy Hook Promise for the third segment of its school safety system and to hear about a proposed American Sign Language course for Alhambra High School.

The local CSEA chapter and the school district had come to terms on a contract several weeks ago.

However, the state level of the labor union needed to approve the contract before it could be ratified, but it has been dealing with a backlog of other contracts it needed to examine and endorse before the contracts could be ratified locally, Kevin Stein, negotiations team chairperson, told the Board in September.

The agreement between the CSEA and the Board includes a 4 percent salary increase which became effective July 1, no changes in monthly out-of-pocket contributions to health benefits and a revision of CSEA salary schedule’s lower ranges.

Agreements also were reached on job descriptions, minor adjustments to the salary schedule structure and other contract articles which CSEA and MUSD representatives said should improve working conditions and labor relations.

The contract clarified language concerning para-professional job descriptions, recognition, organizational security, hours, overtime and holidays.

The new contract will remain closed for the 2018-2019 school year. In the two remaining years, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, the labor union and school district will open negotiations on wages and benefits as well as two more articles chosen by each party.

District Superintendent will ask the district to approve a memorandum of understanding between Sandy Hook Promise and the District for its Say Something – Anonymous Reporting System that would be a cooperative effort with Martinez Police and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

It is the third portion of the program named for the Connecticut school where 20 elementary school pupils and six staff members were slain by a shooter who in turn killed himself. Some of the tragedy’s survivors helped develop the school safety program.

In October, the Board approved an agreement to let the school district launch the program’s two other segments, “Start with Hello” that focuses on reducing isolation and promotes a culture of inclusion, and “Threat Assessment and Intervention” that examines at-risk behaviors, since perpetrators of violence often engage in activities that are signs and signals before they cause harm.

For the third segment, Sandy Hook Promise Foundation would provide training and other support, and the school district would provide communication and outreach, would select “adult champions” to work with Sandy Hook Promise staff and participate in “Call to Action” weeks.

Tom Doppe, MUSD director of educational services, will explain a course in American Sign Language 1 as an approved language course that would be an option for students’ language requirements.

The Citizens’ Oversight Committee will give a report on Measures K and R expenditures.

The Board of Education will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the District Board Room, 921 Susana St.

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