REDDING BOARD OF EDUCATION
Special Meeting Minutes
October 17, 2017
Attendance:
Board of Education: Denny, Hoffman, Irwin, Miller, Whaley
Administration: None.
Others: Several members of the staff
Dr. Irwin called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kathy Weiss, Dodgingtown Road: As a town resident and a member of the Redding Education Association’s negotiating team, Mrs. Weiss thanked the Board for working diligently and collaboratively to resolve the contract and move it forward to a conclusion that was mutually beneficial for the schools, the teachers and the town of Redding. She stated that the REA looks forward to continuing the open and honest dialogue begun during negotiations period.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education recess to Executive Session to discuss the proposed agreement with Redding Education Association, July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018. Miller, Hoffman. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting recessed to Executive Session at 6:07 pm.
RECONVENE
The meeting reconvened at 6:32 pm.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Education hereby ratify the Tentative Agreement dated October 17, 2017 (and signed October 17, 2017) reached between the Board of Education and the Redding Education Association and authorize the Board Chairperson on behalf of the Board of Education to sign the successor collective bargaining agreement based on the Tentative Agreement. Hoffman, Denny. Approved. Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
Mr. Hoffman stated that a few months ago discussion began about amending Board Policy #5118.2, Children of Non-Resident Certified Staff: Enrollment in Redding Public Schools. He believes that all agreed the policy needs to be equalized between the three school districts in ER9. Currently the Redding policy does not have any cost sharing provision, but both Easton and Region 9’s policies do. He stated there was discussion and debate about how to roll out a new policy and specifically about grandfathering children of non-resident teachers currently employed by the Redding School District whose children are already enrolled or whose children have not yet enrolled. It was decided to have a discussion with the REA during contract negotiations. The matter was discussed at length but, because this was an existing Board policy, it was not possible to bring it to a conclusion during negotiations. Instead, it was agreed via a side letter to officially continue the discussion about changes to this policy with the REA in the short term, specifically giving consideration to grandfathering children of teachers currently employed by the Redding School District. He stated he would like to look at a draft of a new policy at the November Board meeting for a first reading. The Board’s attorneys are familiar with the issue and could write the policy. The Board just needs to decide on the specifics and then bring in the REA for a review and discussion. Mr. Hoffman stated his goal would be to vote and approve a new policy by the upcoming December or January Board meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Miller, Denny. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.
Submitted by Michael Hoffman, Vice Chairperson of the Redding Board of Education