Riverside Educators Begin Contract Negotiations

Thu., March 2, 2000

By Kristen Kromer kristenk@spokesman.com

Riverside teachers and administrators started down a familiar path last week, but this time they’re armed with a new process they hope will finally lead to a new teacher contract.

After more than six months of go-nowhere negotiating, members of the Riverside Education Association and administrators received training in interest-based bargaining. The meetings Feb. 23 and 24 were the groups’ first with the new process, and officials are optimistic.

“The new process is good because it affords discussion,” said Riverside School District assistant superintendent Terry Weinmann. “People are more comfortable sharing their opinions without feeling every word is being monitored.”

The praise comes from both sides.

“We like the process,” said REA spokesman Marv Sather. “It’s slow, but that’s not necessarily bad. In this case the process is as important as the product.”

The main difference between adversarial and interest-based bargaining is that the new process allows for discussion between parties.

With adversarial bargaining, one party would put out a proposal and the other would put out a counter proposal, both of which were developed in isolation. Communication happened only through a mediator.

Now, both teams are working together to develop one proposal.

During last month’s meetings, both teams agreed to ground rules and set a target date of the first week of May for a completed and ratified contract. They decided to first discuss the issue of teacher assignment and transfers to fill vacancies.

Though the new process is more time-consuming, officials think the effort will be worthwhile.

“The spirit of negotiations has come back,” Weinmann said. “There has been good discussion.”

“Both teams are working together amiably. I think that’s progress,” Sather added. “We’re trying to reach a resolution that is in the best interest of the district as a whole.”

Future bargaining sessions are scheduled for March 15, March 29 and April 13.

This sidebar appeared with the story:

SCHOOL BOARD

Vacancy

The Riverside School Board is looking for a new member.

Director of District Number 5, Mark Anderson, resigned Feb. 17 because of “personal and familial considerations,” he wrote in a letter to the board. Anderson held the position for about 10 years.

Riverside business manager Kathy Stroyan will be accepting candidate applications through 4:30 p.m. March 20. Officials hope to install the new boardmember May 16.

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