KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Tensions are continuing to rise between the Kalamazoo Education Association and Kalamazoo Public Schools administrators as the weeks continue to pass without a contract settlement.
Talks remain in mediation and it’s been slow going.
Thursday night, teachers and parents challenged figures released by the school district that show they are among the highest paid in the region, saying it doesn’t reflect the work they actually put out.
KEA president Heather Reid had this to add.
Trustees were unusually candid on the talks, saying they also want a contract, but they say they have little control over how much money they have to spend, and the only alternative would be to take it from somewhere else in the budget.
Here are trustees Carol McGlinn and Karla Murphy.
This year’s per-pupil state funding went up but did not keep pace with inflation.
There has apparently been suggestions that the district tap into their $42-million rainy day fund to come up with the extra cash to provide cost of living increases.
Superintendent Darrin Slade gave a lengthy explanation of why that would be a bad idea.
The fund balance at KPS is already smaller than the average for Michigan schools.
The board of trustees huddled in closed session with their attorney after Thursday’s meeting to get an update on the negotiations and prepare for the resumption of talks tor next week.
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