Wichita teacher contract talks begin ‘on a better note’

Wichita teacher contract talks began Wednesday with the district expecting additional state funding instead of dealing with budget cuts.

“For the first time in years and years, we’re starting out on a better note, because we’re at least a little better funded,” said Tom Powell, general counsel and lead negotiator for the district.

“I don’t think what we’ve got is near enough, but at least we’re a lot better off than we have been.”

Wichita could receive about $25 million more from state and local taxes this year under a new school finance formula, district officials said. The Kansas Supreme Court is reviewing the plan and is expected to decide in coming weeks whether it is constitutional.

United Teachers of Wichita is asking for a 10 percent raise and about a dozen other measures, according to initial proposals exchanged last month.

Powell said the district can’t afford many of the union’s demands. According to a cost estimate released Wednesday, a 10 percent raise would cost about $21.5 million.

Steve Wentz, UTW president and lead negotiator for the union’s team, asked Powell for a counter-offer on salaries, which he initially declined to give.

“What you’ve done is put us in a position where we have to bid against you,” Powell said. “We have to start lower than what we intend to do so we can go back and forth between your 10 percent and what we can afford.”

“I don’t think 10 percent is unreasonable,” Wentz said. “If there hadn’t been agreements in the past to (pay) freezes, we’d be well above this.”

After a break, teams returned to the table and Powell reluctantly stated the district’s initial offer: a 1.5 percent pay raise and unfreezing longevity pay for teachers.

“Teachers are the most important component of the district, because they’re hands-on with the students,” Powell said.

“That’s correct,” Wentz replied. “And that 1.5 percent (raise) doesn’t do much for me.”

District officials said 1,410 teachers are elgible for longevity pay, having completed 14 years teaching in the district. The annual bonus ranges from 3 percent to 12 percent of a teacher’s salary depending on his or her years of experience.

The district is seeking tougher attendance requirements for teachers and changes to the observation process for underperforming teachers. The team on Wednesday said it would table a proposal for mandatory testing for tobacco use.

Contract talks, normally underway in the spring, were delayed while officials awaited action by state lawmakers on school funding. Wednesday morning’s session lasted about three hours. The teams plan to meet again at 4 p.m. Aug. 16.

Because the annual contract starts Aug. 1, teachers will work under the terms of last year’s contract until a new one is negotiated and ratified.

This story was originally published August 9, 2017 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Wichita teacher contract talks begin ‘on a better note’."