Teacher Negotiations and Science Standards Discussed at BB School Board Meeting

Teacher Negotiations and Science Standards Discussed at BB School Board Meeting
Kurt Altig discusses teacher negotiations and science standards with BB school board

BROKEN BOW—The clock is ticking when it comes to teacher negotiations for Broken Bow Public Schools. Negotiations need to be complete by February 8. At the December 19 meeting, the school board discussed a twenty-school comparison, the array of salary base pay, and sick day payouts. (Click here to view the December 21 story.)

On behalf of the Broken Bow Education Association (BBEA) Negotiations Committee, Kurt Altig led discussion with the school board on the committee’s ground rules and proposal, saying “negotiations are all about compromise.”

“As a negotiating team we feel we really have been more than fair over the last five years with the sick days and the overall pay,” Altig said.

The proposal included a timeline of changes over the last few years. The committee is asking the board to keep sick days at a 75-day limit with a $100 payout to match substitute pay and contribute to a retirement incentive.

The other major point proposed by the committee is to stay at 100% of the base pay in the array of other schools. The board and the BBEA came up with different comp study dollar amounts regarding how much Broken Bow is above 100% of the array. The proposal indicated splitting the difference and subtracting that amount from the average increase of the base salary array. If the increase of the array is under that amount, base pay is proposed to remain at $34,350 and not to go backwards.

The legality of borrowing PTO days from future years continues to be in question by both groups.

Kurt Altig and Susie Smith presented new science standards to be implemented next fall for all grades. Testing will take place in the spring of 2021 for grades 2, 5, 8, and 11. The Next Generation of Science Standards (NGSS) focuses on a three-tiered system, according to Altig.

“It literally revolutionizes the way science is and changes the way science is going to be taught in Nebraska. Basically, from now on the way it was learned, you know, up until even this year is going to be completely changed next year. It’s more critical thinking and real-life problem solving is what they’re really focusing on and really being more student driven than necessarily teacher driven,” Altig said.

Smith and Altig recommended a new schedule for 9th-12th grade students and will submit a formal proposal in February.

Proposed Schedule:
9th Grade: Earth/Space/Physical Science
10th Grade: Biology
11th Grade: Chemistry, Consumer Chemistry, or Advanced Biology
12th Grade: Anatomy or Physics as an elective

The board voted to retain all board officer positions. J.B. Atkins made a motion to retain all positions and Gerald Pirnie seconded. The motion passed four to two.

Motion to retain all positions—J.B. Atkins, 2nd Gerald Pirnie
Mary Shaw-No
J.B. Atkins-Yes
Carl French-Yes
Pam Holcomb-No
Tom Osmond-Yes
Gerald Pirnie-Yes

Treasurer J.B. Atkins reported that the December expenses came to $836,000+ which was under budget. Claims were approved.

The school board will meet on February 5 at 4:30 p.m. with the BBEA to discuss teacher negotiations. A work session is scheduled to follow with Dr. Virginia Moon in attendance as they continue the superintendent search.

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