Nurse Election, School Board Recommendations

SPS Nurses to Hold Representation Election

The Missouri State Board of Mediation will be overseeing a representation election on March 19, 2009 for full and part-time school nurses employed by Springfield R-XII Schools. Nurses will be voting to authorize Springfield NEA as their exclusive representative for purposes of collective bargaining concerning wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. In mid-January, over fifty SPS nurses signed authorization cards calling for representation. (SPS bus drivers are holding a representation election on March 20. Their petition listed the Teamsters as their representative.)

If the nurses choose SNEA as their representative on March 19, they will then select a bargaining team from their own ranks and begin regularly scheduled negotiations with the district regarding terms and conditions of employment.

Why Aren't SPS Teachers Holding an Election?

Even though the Missouri Supreme Court upheld the Missouri State Constitution in granting teachers (all employees) the right to choose their own representative and engage in collective bargaining with their employer, the existing statute has not been amended, nor has any new legislation emerged that aligns with the 2007 Supreme Court decision. Virtually every other employee group in the state - including nurses, bus drivers, custodians - are covered under the existing statute. So, when the nurses file a petition with the State Board of Mediation calling for an election . . . the district must comply.

Simply put, SPS administration has not yet held an exclusive representation election for teachers - despite receiving over 1,100 signatures from teachers asking for an election - because they don't have to legally. SNEA has urged the district to be proactive, like other large districts in Missouri, and begin the process of bargaining collectively with teachers. A representation election is the first step in that process. We presented the 1,100 teacher signatures to the Board of Education in October, and they directed the administration to begin talks that would lead to a teacher rep election.

Ongoing talks with the administration and teacher groups have moved at a snail's pace since the school board directed the administration to hold talks with teacher groups. An agreement has been reached on a bargaining unit for teachers (who votes), but virtually nothing has been decided regarding the election process - over six weeks have passed since the last meeting. SNEA will continue to urge the district to proceed with an election that would follow the same guidelines the State Board of Mediation has established for nurses, custodians and bus drivers.

SPS Budget Considerations

The Board of Education has been going over projections for the next budget cycle, and it doesn't look good. Recession-driven economic conditions and flat revenues indicate that it could be a lean year for teacher salary increases. The federal stimulus package has designated funds for Title I and Special Education that will be very helpful, but it remains uncertain at this time how stabilization funds will affect the school funding formula. SNEA is watching this closely and will issue email reports to members as funding and budget issues unfold.

Information on the stimulus package, school funding and daily legislative updates are available at: http://www.mnea.org/publications/legislative/index.htm

School Board Election - April 7 - Recommended Candidates

SNEA issued school board candidate questionnaires and conducted candidate interviews on Saturday, February 21. There are four candidates (Kris Callen, Andy Hosmer, Bruce Renner, Eric Jensen) running for three seats. SNEA has recommended incumbents Callen, Hosmer and Renner to be re-elected. Members are encouraged to participate in this important process. If you have any questions regarding our recommendations or would like to volunteer with campaign activities, please contact our office at 869-5090 or email snea@aol.com.

Representation in Disciplinary and Evaluative Matters

Members of SNEA are encouraged to ask for representation in any meeting with administrators that involves disciplinary or evaluative concerns. This is one of the key components of our advocacy for members. Many times, SNEA representation will help solve an existing problem or call attention to a systemic concern in your building. Administrators have been very cooperative in accepting representation at meetings across the district. Don't let things get out of hand . . . call your SNEA office for representation if you have a concern.

SNEA Executive Board Election

The SNEA Executive Board meets monthly to discuss current issues in our district and ongoing concerns like collective bargaining and legislative action. I'd like to urge all members to consider becoming more involved in your association. Nominations will be accepted during March for four seats, as well as the offices of Treasurer and Secretary. We'll announce the dates by email . . . if you are considering getting more involved in SNEA activities, please consider running for an executive board position.