Oakdale educators and classified staff have once again settled on a contract to the pleasure of both agencies, as well as Oakdale Joint Unified School District.
“The vote was close,” Oakdale Teachers Association President Keith Burns reported during the Monday night regularly scheduled meeting. “About seventy-five percent of our members voted. We did vote to ratify the contract.”
Burns continued, acknowledging the efforts and professionalism of lead negotiator Marty Fauria, as well as the OJUSD negotiating team.
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Terri Taylor, echoed Burns’ sentiments, stating both Fauria and Chief Business Officer Susan Dyke were instrumental in the ease of negotiations.
“The votes were positive to ratify,” Taylor said. “At this point it is up to the district to accept what the tentative agreement is.
“In a nutshell,” she continued, “not talking about language, just talking about money – it’s a two percent one time off the salary schedule bonus and it’s an additional three percent to their health benefit cap and that’s for both groups.”
Superintendent of Schools Marc Malone proposed approval for similar compensation for board members, noting that he felt it important that the board be compensated in alignment with the rest of the district staff. All compensation agreements were approved.
OJUSD student board member Russell Pabalan gave an extensive report of upcoming events happening throughout campuses in the district. He highlighted events to be hosted at Oakdale High School the week of Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 for Winter Homecoming Week. The theme of the week is “Home.” The week will begin with Monday, Make Yourself at Home; Tuesday, Coming Home; Wednesday, Home Run; Thursday, Home Invasion (Alien, Extraterrestrial inspired) and Friday, No Place Like Home. Royalty will be crowned at the basketball Homecoming Game on Friday, Feb. 2.
Upcoming Commencement ceremonies were also reviewed. The following ceremonies will be hosted at the following times: Oakdale Charter, May 23, 5 p.m. at Magnolia Auditorium; East Stan/Valley Oak Alternative Ed, May 23, 7 p.m., Oakdale High School; Oakdale Junior High, May 24, 7 p.m. Oakdale High School and May 25, 7 p.m. Oakdale High School.
The monthly meeting began with Fair Oaks Elementary students leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Students performing the honors at the January meeting were: Amelia Zopfi, Skylar Godfrey, Boeman Focha and Kendra Notaro.
The next meeting will be hosted Monday, Feb. 26 at the Oakdale City Council Chambers, 277 N. Second Ave., Oakdale. Open session will begin at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.
