Colfax teachers sign new contract

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Sep 21, 20160

A new three-year contract is in effect for Colfax School District teachers.

Ratified by the school board Sept. 12, the new deal includes changes in working conditions, benefits, due process and the Teacher-Principal Evaluation Program (TPEP).

Salaries were not part of the discussions, as they are set by the state salary schedule.

To account for changes in cost of living, school districts negotiate in other areas.

“Working conditions. That's how you adjust,” said Christopher Clausen, president of Colfax Education Association.

The new contract includes money added to offset increases in insurance premiums and partial payment for meetings outside the school day.

Talks began last October with Superintendent Jerry Pugh and continued through the summer.

“Seek first to understand, then be understood,” said Pugh.

He described TPEP as a revamped process.

“It formalizes the good, honest discussions of what's going on in the classroom,” he said. “This is a professional development opportunity. The basis of it is growth.”

Both parties praised the smooth negotiations that led to the new agreement

“It's not the words on paper, it's the reestablishment and level of trust,” Clausen said. “The union's relationship with the previous administration had continued to erode over the last couple of years. We're in a new mindset. The teachers are very happy.”

The union members voted on the contract two weeks ago with 100 percent approval by the 70 percent responding.

Members include Colfax staff who hold a teaching certificate. The deal took effect Sept. 1.

“What they asked for was reasonable,” Pugh said.