Dickinson teacher negotiations center on increased work day and salary matrix
Apr. 1—DICKINSON — The Dickinson Public School Board met with the Dickinson Education Association (DEA) Wednesday as part of ongoing teacher negotiations. The meeting featured both entities lobbying for changes to current contractual agreements, with the DPS Board proposing an increase of 6% to teacher work days to compensate for increase opportunities in educator salary matrix. Counter argument by the DEA presented alternate options, highlighting concerns that additional work time would not result in extra compensation.
No decisions were made and negotiations remain ongoing.
During the meeting held by the DPS and DEA, one of the main discussion points was the district's salary matrix, or chart that can be used to determine the annual salary and rate of salary progression of employees that is used in various occupations. This process is also known as "steps and lanes," to Dickinson educators, DEA President Shawna Knipp noted.
"So you get credit for a year of experience in teaching and then your lanes are for your education that you're getting above and beyond your teaching degree," Knipp said, explaining, "So if somebody is a first-year teacher, they're on step one and usually they've just gotten their degree so they have a B.A. So that's where they fit into the matrix. And then, as you continue to teach, you get years of experience which move you through the matrix. But then, you also go back to school usually and get more education and work toward a master's or a doctorate and that moves you across the lane and you get more based on your education."
Business Manager Stephanie Hunter noted that the DPS Board offered a 1% on the base with no vertical and horizontal movement, which are referred to as steps and lanes, respectively. The DEA proposed that the board doesn't increase the base, but expressed that they wanted the steps and lanes in place. The difference between those two proposals is approximately $261,000, which are additional funds not slated in the budget, Hunter noted.
"... So the lesser of those two is going to be that 1% on the base. And there's a lot that goes with either side," Hunter said.
As a way to compensate for that additional $261,000, the DPS Board suggested increasing the work day from 7.75 hours to 8 hours. Superintendent Marcus Lewton noted that teachers would be able to be a part of a resource to help with coverage of students during different times. He noted that was just one idea.
"I think what we heard (Wednesday) night was that the DEA and the board want to collaborate and come up with some possible other solutions, knowing the financial scenario of the district... but also the cost of living scenario in the world right now," Lewton said.
Due to the beginning stages of these discussions, Knipp declined to further comment on the impact the added work day without compensation would have on educators.
Lewton added, "We have a shortfall, and some educators got together and we've been working on it, and we're going to solve it and we've gotten a long ways already by working together. And we're going to continue to work together and make (the) Dickinson community a great place to live."
During the meeting, the discussion item was tabled until the next DPS/DEA meeting, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at the Professional Learning Lab.
