Unions push for contract talks at school board meeting

Two unions representing service workers and teachers asked separately during a meeting of the school board Tuesday to push Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials toward contract talks, a task complicated by the recent firing of the district’s lead negotiator.

Contract negotiations can be initiated annually on a limited basis and are led by union officials and typically the district’s head of personnel, until recently, John Caldecott.

David Johnson, president of the local chapter of the California School Employees Assn., said after the board meeting that the union would like unspecified changes to salary and benefits and the removal of “surprises” from the performance review process. Johnson mentioned the example of an unnamed employee who was given a poor performance review the day before summer break.

“How does that give the employee a chance to improve?” Johnson asked.

Johnson said the next step is to set negotiation meeting dates. He said the union, which represents custodians, cafeteria workers, office staff, and others, would like negotiations wrapped up by the summer.

Meanwhile, Kimberly Claytor, president of the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers, sought the board’s help in resuming talks after an initial union proposal was submitted in December.

With the dismissal of Caldecott, the district has turned to Spencer Covert, an attorney who has been hired on occasion to do work for the district, to take Caldecott’s place as chief negotiator. Still, Claytor emphasized the effect that the personnel disruption has had on union talks.

“Delays and firings on the heels of huge concessions that we gave up in last year’s negotiations will have compounding negative impacts on all district employees,” Claytor said.

Supt. Fred Navarro said he understood the “consternation” surrounding the lack of an human resources executive, but said the district is interviewing final candidates for Caldecott’s job this week.

“I want to assure everyone that we are on track to continue,” Navarro said.

The teachers union’s initial proposal didn’t lay out specific demands, beyond saying the negotiations would pertain to salaries, benefits and work schedules. Last year, Claytor said, teachers agreed to switch to a health insurance plan with less flexibility.

Claytor said after the meeting that she heard from Navarro that March 17 would be the date of the first negotiation.

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Sports Equipment

Also Tuesday, the district accepted a $33,183 grant for sports equipment and improvements at Estancia High School from the city of Costa Mesa and the nonprofit Costa Mesa United.

According to the award agreement, the grant includes $14,779 for volleyball equipment that meets California Interscholastic Federation regulations and $9,971 for fencing and gates at the Estancia High baseball field. Money also will go toward football and basketball equipment at the school.

The grant awards were made after an application process. The use of the grant funds is restricted to fields and facilities covered under a joint-use agreement between the district and the city.