No deal: the bottom line for USD 475 and the Junction City Education Association after mediation this week. That means the district and its teachers remain at an impasse, with an independent review of each side's proposals and other factors to be taken up.
JCEA's leadership says it offered changes to its original proposals that would forgo a bulk salary increase and longevity payments.
“JCEA came to mediation prepared to have a meaningful conversation about how we could reach an agreement. We understood that reaching a resolution could require creativity and compromise, and we were prepared to explore those possibilities. Unfortunately, we did not receive a proposal from the District that provided a path toward resolving the compensation issue,” said Dr. Karissa Hammock, JCEA President.
Under state law, following mediation, the independent review begins with a fact-finding effort by a three member panel being appointed. Once that board is in place, it has ten days to present a written report on its proposals. However, that proposal is not binding.