The North Beach School District started the new school year Wednesday with harmonious contract approvals that provided pay raises to both of the district’s labor unions.
A joint statement said the contract agreements allow the district “to avoid potential disruption in the progress made in changing the culture of the district.”
“North Beach School District can move forward, unified around a common focus,” said new Supt. Andrew Kelly, who was hired in July from the Lyle School District.
That focus, he said, is of “improving outcomes for students” and ensuring both certificated and classified educators “feel supported and empowered to bring their very best each day to the students they serve.”
Kelly noted the contracts, which were ratified on Aug. 30, provide pay raises to teachers and other public schools employees. The agreement with the Public School Employees of Washington (PSE) is for three years, while the contract with the North Beach Education Association (NBEA) is for two years.
The Washington Education Association listed the two-year increase at 30 percent, with the minimum annual pay increasing to $55,940 and the maximum to $89,148 for North Beach teachers.
“We believe that the tentative agreement is not only a win for the district and the teachers, but more importantly, a win for our students,” said Will Oaks, NBEA president. “We are hopeful that the district’s willingness to work with us in such a collaborative manner becomes the benchmark by which others measure themselves.”
“I’m optimistic that our collaborative work together will set the tone for a fabulous school year,” said Sabrina Carmichael, North Beach PSE president.
A statement from Kelly reiterated his desire to “rebuild a district culture that ensures positive outcomes for students and staff alike. In reaching these tentative agreements, the district is assured that its forward progress is not derailed by a difficult bargaining session.”
The district was beset last year with staffing concerns, turnover, discipline issues and loss in confidence about the management style and policies of former Supt. Deborah Holcomb, whose contract was terminated by the School Board in her second year.
Kelly has moved quickly to address some of those concerns, and pledged that funds from the state Legislature’s plan to satisfy the so-called McCleary decision would be used to bolster the salary packages for North Beach employees.
The PSE has 45 members working for the district, while the NBEA represents 42 members. The contracts both provide “significant increases that reflect the new state money awarded through the McCleary decision.”
Kelly said his commitment to the North Beach teachers has been ”to use 100 percent of the new money for salaries, to acknowledge the outstanding, professional work that our teachers and classified staff do.”
Of the contract with the Public Schools Employees, Kelly added: “Our classified employees drive our buses, clean our schools, prepare our scholars’ food, and support the classroom operations. They are an imperative piece of the puzzle in ensuring the success of our kids.”
Oaks believes the contract agreement will bolster one of Kelly’s stated goals — to become the highest performing district in Grays Harbor.
“I want to meet the goal that North Beach School District becomes the highest academic performing district in our county and our state. Ensuring a professional salary in a respectful and collaborative environment is a great first step,” Oaks said.
He and Kelly also said they believe the contract “positions North Beach to be able to aggressively recruit excellent teachers to join the educational team.”
