Contract Language

School districts should consider several issues before making the decision to offer a shortened school year either this year or next.

The usual strategy of “negotiated tradeoffs” isn’t the best way to plan health care benefits these days, especially when everyone should agree to share the burden of rising costs.

Your Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) may not be the best cost-saving strategy in today’s climate of rising health care costs. In fact, OSBA recommends that districts conduct a cost-benefit analysis of ERI programs. A growing number of districts have bargained a sunset on these programs, reduced benefits, or immediately discontinued the program. One alternative is to substitute ERI packages with a district-funded Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA).

Complaint-procedure language is often neglected in public education collective bargaining. Too often, board members and school administrators don’t realize they’ve paid it too little attention until it is too late.

Due Process vs Just Cause Comparison

Links to information about early retirement programs

Secretary of State report concludes that early retirement programs are one of the major reasons behind school district cost increases.

FAQs for statewide mandatory paid sick leave law.

Links to information about just cause contract language.

Teacher and administrator layoff procedures are addressed in ORS 342.934 and in collective bargaining agreements.

Downloadable Excel file to assist administrators in making merit and competence determinations when conducting layoffs with licensed staff and administrators.

A downloadable publication containing a comparison of teacher salaries and benefits for the current year.

Understanding the layoff and recall process.

An overview of the role of the board and the appropriate process and procedures that are followed by the district administrator for reductions in force.

Sample contracts for you to download and modify as needed.

Sample funding clause allowing a re-negotiation of parts of a labor agreement.

Oregon signed into law SB 454 in June, 2015, making Oregon the fourth state to enact a statewide mandatory paid sick leave law.

As Oregon's economic woes deepen and financial uncertainty grows, some districts are considering early closure or a shortened school year for 2008-09 or beyond. There are several issues districts should consider before deciding to shorten the school year.

With costs going up and revenue going down, it’s essential to look for the most cost effective way of providing services. Subcontracting is one way to cut costs while maintaining current services.