2012 Negotiations Seminar

The 2012 NDSBA Negotiations Seminar will be on February 10-11 at the Doublewood Inn, Bismarck. Call (701)258-7000 for sleeping room reservations. An early bird sessions will be offered on Thursday, February 9.

NONRENEWAL TRAINING SESSION
Thursday, February 9; 1:00-3:00 p.m.

NDSBA Legal Counsel Gary Thune will provide a review of the nonrenewal process, starting with the importance of complying with statutory deadlines and significance of timely evaluations. Reduction-in-force and performance-based (cause) nonrenewals will be discussed, along with appropriate forms. Exceptions to "general rules" for nonrenewals will also be covered.

NEGOTIATIONS SEMINAR
Friday-Saturday, February 10-11

NDSBA=s annual Negotiations Seminar provides an opportunity for board negotiators to discuss common concerns, review a multitude of procedural matters, and receive updates on new legislation.

TENTATIVE PROGRAM

Bring a copy of your negotiated agreement to get the most out of the seminar!

Friday, February 10

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Ron Wilson, executive director of the North American Association of Educational Negotiators (NAEN), will provide valuable insight concerning union preparation and examination of the union's "playbook." He will lead off the Negotiations Seminar with an insightful presentation entitled "Do You Know the Teachers' Union Lesson Plan for Negotiations?" Time will be allowed for questions from attendees.

JEOPARDY AND THE BASICS

NDSBA Director of Policy Services Alyssa Martin will conduct a game of "Negotiations 101 Jeopardy," introducing unique words and phrases that are a part of the negotiations process.

THE LAW

NDSBA Legal Counsel Gary Thune will summarize the law that has evolved since 1969--both statutory and court decisions. One focus will be on the erosion of board powers, both intentional and gratuitous, during negotiations. A review of the recognition process will illustrate how that erosion can begin early and continue throughout the negotiations process.

PREPARATION AND STRATEGY

From ground rules and board proposals to the ongoing use of executive sessions to formulate and provide strategy to the board's negotiation team, this session will provide practical suggestions, followed by a timely adjournment for lunch (included in your registration fee).

THREE-PART SESSION

Gary Thune will interact with Mark Lemer during each of the following three topics.

The 70% Rule

Following lunch, West Fargo Business Manager Mark Lemer will walk us through the definition of "compensation" and the challenging computations necessary to determine whether the board's proposals are in compliance with the "70% Rule."

New Fringe Benefits Rules

Mark will also discuss the need for caution when dealing with new benefits as a part of the 70% compensation calculation.

TFFR in 2012 and 2014

The legislatively mandated increases in TFFR in both 2012 and 2014 (bringing the total to 24.5 percent in 2014) will be discussed, including a cost assessment of buy-outs.

AT-THE-TABLE TIPS

Gary Thune will present principles and techniques that have proven to be useful over the past years of negotiating teacher's contracts. He will discuss recent NDEA strategies that merit review so you will recognize them when you see them. Practical tips in the form of "Do's and Don'ts," as well as "Alternatives to Saying No," will be discussed.

NDEA NEGOTIATION STRATEGY IN RURAL SCHOOLS

Lisbon Superintendent Steve Johnson will share his observations regarding NDEA "tactics" that he has observed in Lisbon's negotiations, as well as other rural school districts.

CONTRACT LANGUAGE: Find the Problem

The final session of the first day will employ an interactive format using "clickers" to assist participants in identifying contract language that should be revised or removed from your negotiated agreement. NDSBA Executive Director Jon Martinson will serve as facilitator for this session. Alyssa Martin, NDSBA Director of Policy Services, and Legal Counsel Gary Thune will provide responses to audience input regarding existing contract language.

Bring a copy of your negotiated agreement to make best use of this session!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Jeans Day…wear casual clothes and be comfortable!

IMPASSE PROCESS

Saturday morning will begin with Dean Rummel, chairman of the North Dakota Education Fact Finding Commission, sharing his unique perspective on the fact finding process. Since Milnor was one of the school districts that went to impasse last spring, Board President James Martinson and Superintendent Diann Aberle have agreed to share their "lessons learned" during that process. After a short break, Gary will summarize "after the hearing" procedural steps necessary to bring the process to a close, including requirements to issue contract offers.

A Question-and-Answer session covering all presentations will bring the seminar to a close at noon.

Preregister by January 23 to take advantage of the lower preregistration fee.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Call the Doublewood Inn at (701)258-7000 to make your sleeping room reservations today!