North Hills Superintendent Issues Statement on Contract Talks with Support Staff

The following letter from Superintendent Dr. Patrick J. Mannarino was posted on the North Hills School District web site:

For the past 18 months, North Hills School District has been in negotiations with the North Hills Educational Support Personnel Association (ESPA). This collective bargaining unit is one of four union groups in the district and represents 125 North Hills employees including paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, LPNs, clerks, building-level computer technicians and nearly all secretaries.

ESPA members have been working under the terms of their previous contract that ended on June 30, 2012, throughout this school year. As with many collective bargaining negotiations, the main hindrances to a new contract are finances and work schedules. 

In today’s challenging economic climate, North Hills School District must continue to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and effectively maximize all district funds to ensure the future sustainability of the district and the continuation of North Hills’ quality programs. Our adherence to these principles serves as our guide for the numerous negotiations processes. 

Over the past two years, North Hills School District has worked collaboratively with three of the four district collective bargaining units to reach a respectful middle ground. North Hills Education Association that represents teachers and both SEIU groups that represent custodial, maintenance and food service employees each negotiated a fair contract that balanced the economic needs of our taxpayers and our staff members, while upholding the operational needs of our school district. These contracts included similar concessions accepted by employees that have been requested and rejected by ESPA members.

In the current negotiations with ESPA leadership, the district has requested that all building-level computer technicians join district secretaries in working a 12-month schedule rather the current 10-month schedule. This change remains a vital need as technology has become an intricate component for the mission and success of North Hills School District. This upcoming school year alone, North Hills plans to invest nearly $1 million in technology. This investment along with previous technology improvements has created an environment that demands an increase in time and resources needed to prepare district technology for the return of students and staff members each fall.  This request for more days worked will come with an increase in benefits including additional paid vacation time and an overall growth in salary due to increased hours.

Another hurdle continues to be a request by the district to alter the schedule of teaching assistants by 10 fewer days. Teaching assistants currently align their schedules to those of district teachers, but just as technology demands have changed, so have the structures of a teacher’s schedule. On the 10 days requested, North Hills teachers take part in a differentiated professional development model that is dictated by a teacher’s desires and needs as an educator. Thus, it is no longer imperative for teaching assistants to be present on days when students are not in attendance.

Though I understand that is extremely uncommon for district administration to release information regarding contracts and negotiations, I felt the need for transparency and conveyance of factual information to our community members outweighed any other concerns. I appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to satisfy the needs of our school district in collaboration with district employees, students and North Hills community members.

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