We are just now seeing the impact of the recent salary settlement in our paychecks, yet it is time for the SVEA Bargaining Team to establish new bargaining goals for a successor agreement and for teachers to consider what proposals they would like to have the Team consider.

This leads us to two issues: the reason why SVEA negotiated a one-year contract, and what teachers should keep in mind when submitting proposals for consideration.

State funding for public education in California can be described, at best, as uncertain. Given that; in recent years, our elected representatives in Sacramento have had trouble delivering a state budget in a timely fashion, and because, in spite of having Proposition 98 in place, dollars that will be coming to SVUSD are difficult to predict until the State budget is settled, we felt it was not in our best interest to negotiate a multi-year settlement. There would be few better examples of this than what happened this year. We believe we would not have been able to deliver what will equate to the salary schedule moving forward more than 6% in the 2005-06 school year, had we agreed to a two-year contract as part of our last negotiations.

Since our current contract will expire on June 30, 2006, we must now begin the process that will take us back to the bargaining table this spring. As we have in the past, the Bargaining Team will provide proposal forms that outline what we will have as goals to guide us and also allow for teachers to submit potential proposals that would improve working conditions and/or rectify problems that they may have been encountering.

As you contemplate whether you would like to submit a proposal, keep these points in mind:

The Bargaining Team will again offer a "meet and greet" afternoon prior to proposals being due. Team members will be at the SVEA office to answer questions about bargaining and to assist teachers in how to write a proposal. The proposal form, when distributed to all teachers, will indicate the exact date and time of the open meeting.

The bargaining goals are the overriding consideration when completing the proposal package. For example, if a bargaining goal is to "maintain the current benefit package with no additional cost to employees," you do not need to submit a proposal that virtually states the same desire. We have already made a commitment to our members to meet that goal.

Duplicating proposals does not influence the Bargaining Team, as we discuss which proposals should be included in our proposal package. Each and every proposal submitted receives consideration. It is the issue, not the number of times we read about the issue, that impacts our decision.

Do not worry if you are not sure how to word a proposal. Putting your intended outcome in contractual language is the responsibility of the Bargaining Team.

The SVEA Rep Council discusses the proposal package and has the opportunity to amend or remove language before the final document is delivered to the District. When the draft package is distributed to Reps, take some time to look through it so that your Site Representative can ask of the Team any questions that you may have.

Whether or not you have a specific proposal to submit, please remember that the Bargaining Team always encourages and appreciates your support.