By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 school board could eliminate negotiations with its custodian’s union at its meeting Monday night.
The board is set to vote on opting out of the Public Employer-Employee Relations Act, which covers negotiations with the Service Employees International Union.
At the board’s Jan. 16 meeting, Superintendent John Thissen said he did not think the district needed to continue negotiations with SEIU.
There are 28 people covered by SEIU in the school district, 19 of which pay dues and are members of the union. The Hays school district is one of only two school districts in the state that negotiates with SEIU. The other is Wichita.
There are about 225 classified staff that do not have union representation. The district employees about 500 people. Teacher negotiations would not be affected if the district moves to opt out of PEERA.
In a written statement on Thursday, Esau Freeman of SEIU, said, “The members of SEIU Local 513 believe that remaining under PEERA is the best choice for all parties involved. We believe that a cooperative and harmonious relationship in the workplace is best obtained through the relationship defined under PEERA.
“Employees feel valued when they have a voice in the workplace and take ownership for their decisions. Under PEERA, employees have a reasonable assurance that their concerns will be heard and this helps operations and functions continue without interruption, and that is good for everyone, especially the people who matter most, the students. We look forward to resolving any concerns that board members may have and are hopeful that they will vote to maintain our current relationship.”
If the board votes to end its participation in PEERA, the district would still be required to negotiate with SEIU for one more year.
Technology Replacement Schedule
The board will also continue to discuss the district’s technology replacement schedule. The schedule would replace computers for the district’s one-to-one student technology program over four years. The cost of the schedule for student computers would be between $219,000 and $258,000 each year of the schedule.
The board will be given additional information Monday that includes a schedule of all district technology purchases.
At the board’s last meeting, some members questioned the need for the one-to-one program.
Administrative contracts
The board will consider the contracts for Superintendent John Thissen, Assistant Superintendent Shanna Dinkel and Raj Sharma, director of special education. Thissen has recommended the renewal of Dinkel’s contract. The special education cooperative board has recommended the board not renew Sharma’s contract.
In other business, the board will:
- Continue to discuss long-range facilities planning
- Hear a Kansas Education System Accreditation update
- Discuss designating negotiating agents for HNEA and SEIU
- Discuss appointment of a member to the Hays Area Children’s Center board
- Discuss fees for summer school and driver’s education for 2018