Ground Rules

1. Attendance is a priority
2. Start on time/stop on time
3. Everyone participates
4. Stick to the agenda
5. Caucus as needed
6. Agreed upon work sessions to include Subcommittees outside negotiations process
7. Guest speakers by mutual agreement
8. No side discussions
9. No communication with the audience
10. No put downs
11. Joint voice for media
12. Get more food as needed and attend to personal needs
13. Extend session by consensus
14. Assume the best from others

Standards

• Workable – Physically possible – can be done
• Address – Not harm – Does it address the issue and not harm another interest
• Ratifiable – Ratified by teachers, accepted by BOE
• Weigh Cost/benefit and sustainability

Issue Tracking Categories

1. CMT - Committee
2. NEG - Negotiations Process
3. M&C - Meet & Confer
4. BLC - Basic Language Changes
5. TABLE
6. DROP
7. TA – Tentative Agreement

Agenda

• Introductions
• Establish Ground Rules
• Adopt Standards
• Review Articles
• Set Dates for Future Meetings (recommended weekly)
• Set Agenda(s) for Subsequent Meeting(s)
• Guidelines for Creating a "Joint Statement"
• Other
   

Joint Statement

The negotiations teams met on April 6, from 4:30 PM to 5:04 PM.

The meeting was held at the Lincoln Education Center. The teams introduced themselves.

The teams reviewed, amended and adopted the ground rules and standards for 2025-2026.

Issues that will be covered during future meetings were explained.

Meeting dates will be scheduled for Mondays at 4:15pm and end by 6:00pm at The Lincoln Education Center.

Guidelines for creating a “Joint Statement” was discussed.

At the next meeting the teams will consider:

• NEA article: LOU VI – Review extended contract language and consider adopting into main body
• NEA article: VI, Length of Contract-Discuss extended contract for ESOL staff
• NEA article: VIII D, Professional Day-Discuss language for frequency and duration of meetings
• BOE article: VI, Length of Contract-Review and consider clarifying language for collab flex day
• BOE article: VI, Length of Contract-Adding flexibility for additional days for NEO
• BOE article: XIII B, Application-Corrective action to subsection I reference
• BOE article: XIX I, General Provisions-Corrective action to section I subsection 1 reference
• BOE article: Consider adding language to request including items impacted by legislation
   

Meeting Schedule

• April 13 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center
• April 20 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center
• April 27 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center
• May 4 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center
• May 11 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center
• May 18 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center

Manhattan-Ogden NEA Team

• Ted Dawdy -Chair
• Lisa Heller
• Megan Rees
• Jacob Stroda-absent
• Emily Seay
• Robin Whitten
• Alternates: Kellee Gray, Holly Olberding, Dustin Duntz

BOE Team

• Nathan Downs-Chair
• Katie Allen
• Kristin Brighton
• Abby Bowen
• Andy Hutchinson
• Michael Dorst
• Sheila Henke
• Alternate: Courtney Hochman

Agenda

• Adopt Agenda
• Review Joint Statement from previous meeting
• Review Tracking Document
• Items for review
  • NEA article: LOU VI – Review extended contract language and consider adopting into main body
  • NEA article: VI, Length of Contract-Discuss extended contract for ESOL staff
  • NEA article: VIII D, Professional Day-Discuss language for frequency and duration of meetings
  • BOE article: VI, Length of Contract-Review and consider clarifying language for collab flex day
  • BOE article: VI, Length of Contract-Adding flexibility for additional days for NEO
  • BOE article: XIII B, Application-Corrective action to subsection I reference
  • BOE article: XIX I, General Provisions-Corrective action to section I subsection 1 reference
  • BOE article: Consider adding language to request including items impacted by legislation
• Next Meeting Items for Discussion
   

  ---

   

Joint Statement

 The negotiations teams met on April 13, from 4:15 PM to 5:26 PM.

The meeting was held at the Lincoln Education Center.

The teams reviewed ground rules and the joint statement from the previous meeting.

The teams discussed the following articles:

At the next meeting the teams will consider:

• NEA article: LOU VI – NEA proposed having the letter of understanding for extended days for special education staff be moved into the main body. BOE prefers to leave it as an LOU for flexibility in the future. LOU VI remains a letter of understanding.
• NEA article: VI, Length of Contract-NEA proposed having language for ESOL staff to have additional extended contract hours. This stems from a previous issue where ESOL staff were asked to complete tasks on a float work day. ESOL staff have had voluntary opportunities to come in additional day(s) paid to work, this would make it mandatory. Discussions regarding use of time during PD days/collaboration days. This resulted in no change with potential to be revisited in future years.
• NEA article: VIII D, Professional Day-Discussed changing the title to avoid redundancy of the section names. Compared data on length and number of meetings held after/before school, which varies. Discussed specific building concerns need to work through the communication matrix and problem solve individually instead of creating language for the entire district. Tentatively agreed to change the title of the section.
• BOE article: VI, Length of Contract-BOE suggested language to reference section specifying details of professional collaboration to avoid confusion for flexible collaboration hours. Compromised on language for timeline. Tentative agreement to change language.
• BOE article: VI, Length of Contract-BOE suggested language to have flexibility for additional day for new educator orientation for additional onboarding for PBIS, etc. Tentative agreement to adopt language.
• BOE article: XIII B, Application-Corrective action to subsection I reference. Tentative agreement to fix typo, no substance to change.
• BOE article: XIX I, General Provisions-Corrective action to section I subsection 1 reference. Tentative agreement to fix typo, no substance to change.
• BOE article: Consider adding language to request including items directly impacted by legislation during negotiations. Tentative agreement to adopt language.

Reviewed items for next meeting for review:

• NEA item: IX A: Specials teachers duties outside of assigned content area.
• NEA item: IX B: Increase minimum time considered for professional release.
• Item VIII D: Review proposed name change for section.
• BOE item: XI F: Consider changes to align with state statute.
• BOE item: XIX G: Discuss terminology for “unforeseen” with sick/personal day exchange.
• BOE item: XIX G: Extended leave w/o pay, consider changes in language.
   

Additional item time permitting:

• NEA item: XIX Leaves: Discuss language for paid time off.
   

  ---

Meeting Schedule

• April 13 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center
• April 20 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center
• April 27 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center
• May 4 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center
• May 11 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center
• May 18 – 4:15 –  Lincoln Education Center

Manhattan-Ogden NEA Team

• Ted Dawdy -Chair
• Lisa Heller
• Megan Rees
• Jacob Stroda-absent
• Emily Seay
• Robin Whitten
• Alternates: Kellee Gray, Holly Olberding, Dustin Duntz

BOE Team

• Nathan Downs-Chair
• Katie Allen
• Kristin Brighton
• Abby Bowen
• Andy Hutchinson
• Michael Dorst
• Sheila Henke
• Alternate: Courtney Hochman

Agenda

• Adopt Agenda
• Review Joint Statement and Ground Rules
• Review Tracking Document
• Items for review
  • NEA item: IX A: Specials teachers duties outside of assigned content area.
  • NEA item: IX B: Increase minimum time considered for professional release.
  • Item VIII D: Review proposed name change for section.
  • BOE item: XI F: Consider changes to align with state statute.
  • BOE item: XIX G: Discuss terminology for “unforeseen” with sick/personal day exchange.
  • BOE item: XIX G: Extended leave w/o pay, consider changes in language.
• Additional item time permitting:
  • NEA item: XIX Leaves: Discuss language for paid time off.
• Next Meeting Items for Discussion

Joint Statement

The negotiations teams met on April 20, from 4:15 PM to 5:27 PM.

The meeting was held at the Lincoln Education Center.
The teams reviewed ground rules and the joint statement from the previous meeting.
The teams discussed the following articles:

• NEA item: IX B: Specials teachers duties outside of assigned content area-conversation regarding the success of the language provided last year.
• NEA item: IX B: Increase minimum time considered for professional release. This item has been tabled for a future meeting. BOE will gather data on specific concerns.
• Item VIII D: Review proposed name change for section. Changed section to “Staff Meetings”
• BOE item: XI F: Consider changes to align with state statute. Language has been changed to comply with state statute while not penalizing existing licensed professionals.
• BOE item: XIX G: Discuss terminology for “unforeseen” with sick/personal day exchange. New language was adopted.
• BOE item: XIX G: Extended leave w/o pay, consider changes in language. Item tabled for a future meeting.

Additional item time permitting:

• NEA item: XIX Leaves: Discuss language for paid time off. This item is delayed for a future meeting.

Articles for discussion at next meeting: All remaining articles will be addressed at the next meeting which will be determined once financials are solidified.

Manhattan-Ogden NEA Team

• Ted Dawdy -Chair
• Lisa Heller
• Megan Rees
• Jacob Stroda-absent
• Emily Seay
• Robin Whitten
• Alternates: Kellee Gray, Holly Olberding, Dustin Duntz

BOE Team

• Nathan Downs-Chair
• Katie Allen
• Kristin Brighton
• Abby Bowen
• Andy Hutchinson
• Michael Dorst
• Sheila Henke
• Alternate: Courtney Hochman

Agenda

• Adopt Agenda
• Review Joint Statement from previous meeting
• Review Tracking Document
• Presentation of Projected Finances by Director of Business Operations
• Presentation of Findings by Joint Committee for Leadership Supplementals
• Items for review
  • IX A Preparation Time – Consider increase in minimum professional release
  • XIX Leaves – Consider language for PTO
  • XIX G Extended Leave w/o Pay – Consider changes in language
  • XI D Hourly Wage – Consider increase to hourly wages
  • XI-Double Class – Consider compensation for teachers to double class size
  • XII A Health Insurance - Consider language reflecting single low option plan for insurance
  • XIII A Pre-funding Schedule– Consider increase in 403b contributions from the district
  • XIII D – Consider increase in payments for unused sick leave
  • LOU’s – updates
  • XV Supplemental Schedule – Consider supplemental additions from supplemental salary committee
  • XV Supplemental Schedule – Review of supplemental salary base.
  • XI G - Review of Salary Schedule with possible changes
  • Review of Language for possible finalization.
• Next Meeting Items for Discussion (if necessary)

Joint Statement

The negotiations teams met on July 27, from 1:00 PM to 3:37 PM.
The meeting was held at the Lincoln Education Center.
The teams reviewed ground rules and the joint statement from the previous meeting.
Presentation of Projected Finances by Director of Business Operations Presentation of Findings by Joint Committee for Leadership Supplementals
Tentatively Agreed to Extend LOU for an additional year for purposes of gathering data and developing a more systematic approach.
Items Reviewed:

• IX A Preparation Time – Consider increase in minimum professional release
  • This topic was brought up based on concerns from NEA for 15-minute plan time increments. Difficulties in making any recommendations for change because of the timing with schedules (school is 2 weeks away).
  • BOE will engage with reminders and conversation w/principals (maybe at support meetings) regarding the school schedule. May revisit in spring 2027.
• XIX Leaves – Consider language for PTO Dropped due to timing.
  • May bring again in 2027.
• XIX G Extended Leave w/o Pay – Consider changes in language
  • Review proposed language drafted by NEA. Agreed upon with change to notification of intent to return to February 1st (instead March 1st). Hire back is dependent upon openings and must be approved by BOE.
• XI D Hourly Wage – Consider increase to hourly wages
  • Not increased – opted to increase district paid premium for healthealth insurance, supplemental base, base salary, and add activity/coaching supplementals instead.
• XI-Double Class – Consider compensation for teachers to double class size Consideration for sub pay for absorbing a class.
  • Review sub fill rate data next spring. Add clarity to administrators. Review data next year.
• XII A Health Insurance - Consider language reflecting single low option plan for insurance
  • Agreed upon to continue full coverage of single-low option + GAP.
  • Discussion on gathering data from existing insurance users regarding other coverage.
• XIII A Pre-funding Schedule– Consider increase in 403b contributions from the district
  • No change.
  • Money additions put into health insurance, base salary and supplemental base and added supplemental activity/coaching positions.
• XIII D – Consider increase in payments for unused sick leave
  • Committee being formed to examine leave payouts for retirees and other staff. Not included in LOA.
• LOU’s – updates
• XV Supplemental Schedule – Consider supplemental additions from supplemental salary committee. 
  • Agreed upon to add the positions recommended by the committee.
• XV Supplemental Schedule – Review of supplemental salary base.
  • Add $400 to base moving this closer to salary schedule base.
• XI G - Review of Salary Schedule with possible changes .
  • Agreed to vertical and horizontal movement plus to add $200 to base.

Lead reps for the association and administration will complete a final edit of the agreement changes and share them with the teams prior to ratification votes. Members of the bargaining unit should expect additional information about the process this year and the changes agreed to as well as voting information for ratification from the association leadership.