REA Survey: Class size vs. 1.9%

Post date: Jul 17, 2011 12:58:08 AM

REA recently sent out a survey to teachers regarding the latest School Board bargaining proposal. The School Board proposes to pay the 1.9% Washington State mandated salary cut IF REA agrees to across-the-board increases in class sizes and case loads.

The School Board wants to make the effects of paying the 1.9% "cost neutral." Administration has estimated, based on current contract language, overload pay for the coming year would amount to between $600,000 and $700,000. This is also the estimated cost of paying the 1.9% salary differential.

Currently, the District has more than enough funds in reserves to pay for both the 1.9% and potential overload.

The survey sent to members states:

Bargaining this year has been very difficult. We are still fighting off several regressive proposals from the district. As far as money is concerned, the district is willing to cover the 1.9% the State has cut from our salaries. But at the same time, they want to get this money back by raising class sizes.

Under the District's proposal, your class size, before you qualify for overload pay, would have to exceed the following limits:

Pre-K - 22

K-1 - 26

2-3 - 28

4 - 30

5 - 31

6-8 - 33

9-12 - 34

Secondary PE - 37

Senior Writing - 30

Combo Classes

k-1 - 24

1-2 - 24

2-3 - 26

3-4 - 26

4-5 - 28

Do you object to the district asking us to accept higher class sizes for the same pay? Please reply to richlandea@gmail.com