Teacher unions vote to ratify contract

KENAI — Teachers and support staff in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District have voted to ratify a tentative agreement on their contracts.

The Kenai Peninsula Educational Association and the Kenai Peninsula Educational Support Association had reached the tentative deal with the school district in September. The agreement came after more than a year of collective bargaining and an arbitration process, the Peninsula Clarion reported.

Leaders of the two associations told district officials Monday that they had agreed to ratify the contract, according to KPEA President David Brighton.

The Board of Education still needs to approve the contracts at a Nov. 7 meeting before they can be finalized.

Brighton said he and KPESA President Patti Sirois visited several schools within the district to discuss the tentative contract with association members and answer their questions.

Much of the debate during the collective bargaining process, which started in February 2015, centered on health care benefits. The district had initially offered a traditional plan and a high-deductible plan and a per-employee, per-month cap on health care expenditures.

“The number one question was about the new high deductible plan, and just trying to get more information about what that would look like for them,” Brighton said.

With help from Oregon-based arbitrator David Axon, the associations and the school district reached a compromise on the benefits plan. Under the tentative contract, teachers still have the per-employee, per-month cap option but will be allowed to opt out of the health care plan as soon as the tentative agreement is ratified rather than waiting until January. Members of both associations will also be provided with $750 stipends.

The contracts for the two associations, which have nearly 1,200 members combined, are effective for three years.

More in News

(Juneau Empire File)
Aurora forecast for the week of Nov. 27

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File
Even the Grinch got into the holiday spirit at last year’s Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
An abundance of traditional and new ways to capitalize on this year’s Gallery Walk

More than 50 events scheduled Friday afternoon and evening from downtown to Douglas.

This view is from Wrangell on Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Joaqlin Estus/ICT)
Conservation group supports formation of new Alaska Native corporations

The conservation group the Wilderness Society has changed its position and now… Continue reading

From her hospital bed on Friday, Nov. 24, Christina Florschutz demonstrates how she pulled pajama bottoms that she found in the landslide debris over her legs, arms and head to keep warm. Her house was destroyed in the landslide, and after spending the night in the wreckage, she was rescued the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Caroleine James / Wrangell Sentinel)
Elementary school aide who survived Wrangell landslide calls circumstances a miracle

Christina Florschutz trapped overnight by landslide that killed at least 4 people, with 2 missing.

Lylah Habeger (left) and Jaila Ramirez lead the Konfeta Corps during a rehearsal of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” at Juneau Dance Theatre. The ballet will be performed in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.At.Kalé auditorium Friday through Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)
‘Nutcracker’ tradition, with a twirl of new choreography

This year’s performances feature a cast of 93, ages 5 to 78

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Rain at the National Weather Service Juneau station on Nov. 11 doesn’t exist as snow until hits the upper portion of nearby Thunder Mountain. So far this November has been both warmer and wetter than normal. (Photo by National Weather Service Juneau)
El Niño playing outsize role in Juneau’s warmer temperatures, according to National Weather Service

Early peek at numbers shows Juneau is 4.9 degrees warmer than average this November.

An emergency rescue vehicle parks in front of the Riverview Senior Living center at midday Monday after resident Nathan Bishop, 58, was discovered in the attic about 40 hours after he was reported missing. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nathan Bishop found alive in attic of Riverview Senior Living complex after 40-hour search

Family members say they remain supportive of facility’s locally available assisted living services.

Most Read