School District Strikes Deal with Unions

Pleasanton school teachers and employees have given up almost $2 million in the form of furlough days, class size and staff development time to help with the hefty financial woes burdening local schools.

officials announced this week that they have reached a much-buzzed-about tentative agreement with the Pleasanton Teachers Association and the local chapter of the California School Employees Association for the next school year.

"It's no secret that we've had to lean on our employees," said Jeff Bowser, board trustee.

"Thanks to them for throwing us a financial life preserver. I hope these are the only concessions we need."

The employees union, which includes everyone from cafeteria workers to janitors to clerical workers, agreed that 11- and 12-month employees will take five furlough days, and 10-month employees will take three. That will save the district an estimated $260,000, which will be used to restore positions in danger of layoffs.

The teachers association agreed to $1.7 million in concessions. Members will give up staff development time, which is key time that teachers spend collaborating with each other. They've also agreed to larger class sizes and many of the items in the agreement were implemented last year.

The agreement, reached in late March and announced at Tuesday's school board meeting, still has to be certified by Alameda County.

"These are not our highest-paid employees," said trustee Jamie Hintzke, referring to the employees union. "And yet they gave more than anyone. It's just very generous."

Trustee Joan Laursen said that she has always been blunt when talking with people in the community about what needs to be done to counteract the ailing budget.

"And I've said we'll be asking for concessions — it's just part of the whole pickle we're in.

"But in this district, we have an amazing relationship with our two associations; they're not waiting for us to start a brow-beating campaign or engaging in political activism before coming to the table. I just really appreciate that."

Trustee Chris Grant said he wants to do everything possible to preserve those positive relationships.

Sandy Piderit, a college professor and past school board candidate, said that larger classes might not sound like they are difficult for teachers, but they are. It makes their jobs much more taxing, she said. The same is true of losing the collaborative time.

"It's just a testament to the professionalism of our teachers," she said.

Resident David Miller opposed a recently failed parcel tax measure that would have given the district $8 million.

"I'm very proud to see this," he said of the employees association agreeing to furlough days.

"It demonstrates how employees came together to take care of their own, to ensure that people don't get laid off, that we can do something about it. That is incredible and it needs to be recognized."

The district is facing a $7.7 million shortfall for the 2011-12 school year. Local officials say that Gov. Jerry Brown’s recent announcement that schools might see a reduction of up to $5 billion statewide after his May budget revise could bring budget cuts of up to $12 million in Pleasanton.

In three years, the district has cut $21 million to balance its budget.