New contract gives Marysville teachers a pay bump

salary of teachers, which will help offset high medical insurance costs.

The remaining 2.2 percent will compensate teachers for an added 10 minutes to their work days. The time will allow for 20 early release days next school year, creating a 90-minute window for teachers to use at their professional discretion.

Inge Schlussler, union president, said the district will not be paying teachers for the 90 minutes allotted, and teachers may use the time to collaborate, grade papers, plan lessons or buy classroom materials.

“It is arguable about how much time is required versus up to our professional judgement of the 90 minutes,” Schlussler said. “Collaboration is a part of the teaching standards upon which we are evaluated, but we will be testing the boundaries this coming year as to how much we are trusted to work as professionals versus made to work as hourly workers."

The district cannot mandate the teachers use the time to collaborate, as that would violate the current contract, she said.

“Right now, it’s all on paper and in dis- cussions,” she said. “We’ll just have to see how it gets implemented. If it’s not implemented in the spirit of what we bargained, then there will be grievances.”

Health care costs The teachers union successfully negotiated for a 1.53 percent increase to salary that will offset health care costs in YubaSutter.

Schlussler said the pay bump will aid in attracting and retaining new teachers because they are the most affected by the high cost to see a doctor.

“The effect of that hits hardest on our newer teachers who are having to pay off school loans, as well,” she said.

Starting pay for new teachers in MJUSD is about $46,000, before taxes and health benefits are taken out. The union negotiated a $1,200 bump, bringing the new salary to $47,200.

Schlussler said teachers contribute to a medical general fund, or “bucket,” that the medical claims are paid from. Due to high Yuba-Sutter claims taking large amounts out of the fund, union teachers have to make up the difference in their monthly contributions.

“When employees in this area go to those doctors, then the claim coming out of the bucket is at least three times bigger than what it should be,” she said.

Schlussler said the district is not at fault for the high health care costs seen locally. She said Rideout Health and Sutter North Medical Group charge more for a doctors appointment than hospitals in neighboring counties.

“We did this because we actually care about attracting and keeping teachers here,” she said. “What teachers know is that health care will continue to be expensive."

Amicable relations Both officials from the district and the union said the relationship between the groups are amicable.

Schlussler said she values her relationship with Assistant Superintendent Ramiro Carreón and finds the collaborative effort helps the negotiation process.

“I am able to work with Mr. Carreón throughout the year to work through issues before they become big problems,” Schlussler said.

Carreón said the district and teachers’ union have worked hard to better the relationship.

“(Marysville Unified Teachers Association) leadership works diligently and endlessly to ensure the collective bargaining agreement is fully honored, and rights are preserved,” Carreón said. “The collaborative nature of the relationship is always appreciated.”

The district and union have agreed to a one-year contract and will renegotiate again this year. The negotiation process takes about a full school year to complete.

“We did not do a multi-year contract because the district did not feel secure about what the financial situation will be, based on the current (national and state) politics,” Schlussler said. Toll Free.................