Board Policy

BP 4243

Classified Personnel

Negotiations/Consultation

The Board of Education is legally responsible for negotiating in good faith with exclusive employee representatives on wages, hours of employment, and other terms and conditions of employment identified in law as being within the scope of representation. (Government Code 3543.2)

The Board believes that effective negotiations require the input of all levels of the administration. The Board shall establish a bargaining team to assist in analyzing contract provisions and conducting contract negotiations.

(cf. 4140/4240 - Bargaining Units)

The Board recognizes its responsibility to represent the public's interests in the collective bargaining process. The Board and/or Superintendent shall keep the public informed about the progress of negotiations and the ways in which negotiations affect district goals.

(cf. 4141.6/4241.6 - Concerted Action/Work Stoppage)

(cf. 4143.1/4243.1- Public Notice - Personnel Negotiations)

In reaching agreements on employee contracts, the Board shall balance the needs of staff and the priorities of the district in order to provide students with a high-quality instructional program based on a sound, realistic budget.

(cf. 0200 - Goals for the School District)

(cf. 3100 - Budget)

(cf. 4141/4241 - Collective Bargaining Agreement)

The Board endorses and uses an interest-based, nonadversarial approach to collective bargaining. The goal of negotiations shall be to reach an agreement which meets the interests of all concerned.

The Board with its bargaining team shall establish standards of conduct pertaining to the negotiations process for individual Board members and members of the bargaining team. Meetings related to negotiations are not subject to state open meeting laws and shall be held in closed session. Matters discussed in these meetings shall be kept in strict confidence.

(cf. 4119.23/4219.23/4319.23 - Unauthorized Release of Confidential/Privileged Information)

(cf. 9010 - Public Statements)

(cf. 9011 - Disclosure of Confidential/Privileged Information)

(cf. 9321 - Closed Session Purposes and Agendas)

The Board shall provide its negotiator(s) with expected outcomes and clear parameters for acceptable contract provisions and may initiate proposals which promote the realization of district goals. The Board shall closely monitor the progress of negotiations and carefully consider how proposed contract provisions would affect the district's short- and long-term goals.

Consultation

The Board will also meet and negotiate on such topics as are included through action by the Public Employment Relations Board.

The Board may hold closed sessions with its designated representative(s) prior to or during consultations with representatives of employee organizations. The purpose of these closed sessions shall be to review the Board's position and instruct its representative(s). (Government Code 54957.6)

(cf. 9321 - Closed Sessions)

The Board will also freely consult with certificated representatives within rights granted by law. (Government Code 3543.2):

- Definition of educational objectives

- Determination of content of courses and curriculum

- The selection of textbooks.

The Board reserves to itself its unlimited right to consult with any employee groups on any matter outside the scope of representation. Consultation procedures and processes are not negotiable. The Board views healthy consultation between and among Board, administration and employee groups as being highly desirable.

Legal Reference:

GOVERNMENT CODE

3540-3549.3 Educational Employment Relations Act

Policy PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

adopted: February 8, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California