Teachers, board hold negotiations

PRIEST RIVER— There was a clear rise in atmospheric tension when the word “Zoom” was uttered by a member of the West Bonner County School District teachers union at the June 24 negotiations meeting. Arms were crossed, hands were tightened and voices were raised.

A request made by the teachers union to use Zoom, an online communication forum, was denied by the WBCSD. This action, paired with a chain of emails from Board Chair Sandy Brower to the teachers led to misunderstanding for both parties.

“This whole discussion created a negative atmosphere of disrespect,” the teacher said.

The conversation about Zoom began a few weeks ago in an effort to include one member of the teachers union who is uncomfortable attending in-person meetings.

According to the union, Brower’s emails referenced Idaho law when explaining why Facebook Live was the only online platform utilized by WBCSD. When the request to use Zoom was denied by the school district’s attorney, the teachers union consulted a lawyer to determine the legality of the district’s decision.

“We want to be respectful to each other,” one teacher said. “It’s time. We aren’t here to bring hardship on the district.”

Brower first responded to the union’s grievances by defending the level of respect given to the teachers by the school board.

“It was nothing disrespectful,” Brower said. “We took what you wanted, we looked into it and we provided another avenue for everybody to communicate in. So, if it was communicated as disrespecting you guys then I am sorry but that was never our intention.”

WBCSD offered to use the phone as an alternative to the Zoom recommendation.

“Because we provide Facebook Live, that is the public record,” Superintendent Paul Anselmo said. “What the attorney indicated was if you are doing Zoom and that, then you are doing something that is not the public record.”

In addition, Brower said a Zoom call would require a formal invitation to all audience members, not just for the one teacher. The loud audio and uncontrolled public comments did not create a conducive environment in their previous attempts to use Zoom for meetings, she said.

“My emails were never disrespectful to you,” Brower said. “If I didn’t respect the teachers of this community, I wouldn’t do what I am doing for free, taking up hours of my time to make sure you guys have got good insurance, to make sure you’ve got good salary packs … so I am offended.”

Teachers arrived 30 minutes early at the last meeting to discuss Zoom issues before the negotiations meeting, a second teacher explained. She, along with the other teachers, assumed the Zoom discussion would be resolved prior to the Facebook livestream.

Brower, however, said Idaho Code regulates all conversations related to the negotiations meeting must take place in a public forum.

Trustee Nicole Butler encouraged both parties to put the controversy behind them and proceed with mutual respect. “I think we’ve spent an hour and a half at each of our meetings (on Zoom),” Butler said. “We just need to move forward.”

However, the meeting continued to breed disconnect and distrust between the two parties.

Teachers began strategizing language to request additional state funding for salaries with the school board. “We want to help the district, we believe about half of the district could possibly qualify.”

The teachers asked the school district to sign a memorandum to support their goal, but the board members declined.

“I just think we should have a level of trust,” Anselmo said.

Currently the county complies with a salary schedule of $40,000 to $50,000. Teachers will continue to work on a building portfolio of work that meets criteria for a distinguished teacher in Idaho as opposed to a proficient teacher.

The teachers’ final discussion item was on a salary increase for co-curricular leadership positions, a topic brought up in the past three meetings. The item was tabled after members were unable to justify the stipend.

Unlike last year, the school board requested teachers come forth with an offer for a raise at the next meeting. The teachers argued that the school board was more familiar with the budget numbers and would better articulate a respectful offer.

“I just feel like every request I am making is coming right back,” Brower said. “I am frustrated. If you are truly looking out for what’s best for the district and with COVID-19 freezing wages, I am sure you guys will come back with a respectable offer.”

Teacher negotiations meetings will resume in July.