LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — CCSD Board of Trustees left their meeting after CCEA members chanted Thursday evening.
The board returned just after 5:30 p.m. but walked out a second time. Board members returned to the room around 6 p.m. but left again.
At 6:21 p.m., board members returned to the room after police told union members the meeting was over. The agenda was addressed. The meeting was adjourned around 6:30 p.m.
Disputes over teacher contracts between both parties are continuing.
"If they want to continue disrespecting us, that's fine," said Marie Neiseiss, president of CCEA. "But we are letting the community know we're fighting every day to ensure every child has a licensed educator in front of them, but that can only happen if we pay our educators."
Over the past couple of weeks, teachers have continued rallying across the valley. CCSD's Board of Trustees met to discuss several topics, including teacher pay.
Many educators were planning to voice their concerns during public comment.
The latest salary proposal released by the district offers a nearly 7 percent increase in year one and then another 1 percent adjustment in year two. The teacher's union has been pushing for a 10 percent pay bump in the first year and another 8 percent in the second year.
13 INVESTIGATES: Clark County School District, teachers union have long history of contract controversy
The district also proposed raising starting teacher pay to $52,556 this year. The starting salary is currently around $50k.
The union is adamant that the $250 million allocated in Senate Bill 231 belongs to the educators. They say the latest contract proposal feels like a "slap in the face."
Some told KTNV's Kelsey McFarland they have several side gigs to keep up with bills despite having a masters degree, and they want their pay increase to keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living in Southern Nevada.
"Teachers are trying to figure out how to raise money just to get to their jobs," said Elizabeth Adler, English and Spanish teacher. "To support their families."
"All teachers need to come together, and we need to fight union — non-union teachers; it's our time right now," said Ron Hoffman, Cram Middle School teacher. "We need to get it right now."
CCSD provided a statement after Thursday's meeting:
Everyone has the right to express themselves peacefully, but they do not have the right to block traffic, disrupt the business proceedings of a public body, or prevent public agency operations through “work actions.”
Since we began negotiations, the leadership of CCEA has continued their bad-faith efforts to bully the school district into accepting their financially questionable proposals that would put District finances into a deficit. As stewards of the public trust and dollars, we cannot agree to put the District in financial jeopardy which will ultimately hurt our students and adults.
Our educators deserve a raise and an equitable salary schedule, and we will continue advocating for both as long as negotiations continue. Getting our teachers their raises can only occur at the bargaining table, not by disrupting businesses, meetings, or traffic.
CCSD stands ready to negotiate. CCEA should do its members' business and join us at the table.
