Arbitrator hands win to CCSD’S educators

Boost in pay, benefits to cost district $50M

An arbitrator sided with Clark County School District teachers Tuesday in their 2017-18 contract impasse, awarding educators increases in pay and health care contributions.

The district says the estimated $52 million deal could cause another major budget shortfall.

Teachers will move a step in the salary schedule effective June 1, 2018. The district’s contributions to health care through the Teachers Health Trust also will increase from roughly $538 to $583 a month. That increase will be retroactive to July 1, 2017.

The package will cost an estimated $13 million this fiscal year and an additional $38.5 million the next, according to the district. Officials will consult with counsel and School Board trustees to determine the next course of action, but the district did not say whether it would appeal the decision.

John Vellardita, executive director of the Clark County Education Association, said that while he’s glad the union prevailed in the decision, labor relations must be fixed. He said the arbitration session, which began in June 2017 and was the longest the union has had, cost the union half a million dollars.

“We want to improve labor relations with the school district,” Vellardita said. “We’d love to see the school district improve its negotiations rather than using arbi

CCSD

sure that our members are seated first,” Lee said. “It’s a real problem when we have press standing in the back. What has happened in the past is it interferes with dining service. So we are asking the press to not be here.”

Lee could not recall the last time the club closed a luncheon to the media. The event was well-attended Tuesday, with top Republicans rubbing elbows with Heller’s senior staffers, Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, state treasurer hopeful Derek Uehara and other Nevada politicians.

Heller declined comment through a spokesman Tuesday. Lee denied that Heller’s office demanded no media at the event, saying it was her board’s decision.

“We don’t take requests from people. It’s our decision as a board,” she said. “We’ve had major issues with people interfering with our dining service. This isn’t a political issue. It really is an issue of space.”

When asked why the club continues to use Cili Restaurant if it’s too crowded, Lee said the club has considered moving its lunches, but Cili is convenient and features valet service.

Past luncheons have featured 4th Congressional District candidate Danny Tarkanian, Attorney General Adam Laxalt, Treasurer Dan Schwartz, former U.S. Rep. Cresent Hardy and Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo.

Contact Ramona Giwargis at rgiwargis@reviewjournal. com or 702-380-4538. Follow @ Ramonagiwargis on Twitter.