Preamble

            The North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) and the North Thurston Education Association (NTEA) work to develop ongoing, collaborative and interest-based bargaining.  We proudly commit to these practices as the base of our relationship because it serves the best interests of our students, educators and community.  We believe that continued collaboration and openness will allow us to achieve the shared District mission of a “commitment to excellence: providing every student the academic and life skills necessary to succeed in a diverse world.”  Our students will receive the highest quality education possible when we work together in support of students and families.  Therefore, our strong, mutual relationship will not only serve our students today, but will provide the leadership foundation for future bargaining teams.

            To accomplish our mission, both parties work to create shared values and beliefs that guide the generation of common interests.  We believe that in order to best serve our students, we must support and empower teachers, and the profession of teaching.  These shared beliefs are:

1.      We believe that every student is worthy of the highest quality education possible.

2.      We believe we are a learning organization that values teacher professional development, promotes shared leadership and collaboration and exemplifies research supported best practices.

3.      We believe that students are best served when professionals make collective decisions based on the academic, social and emotional needs of children.

4.      We believe in equity of opportunity for everyone in the district.  Equity of opportunity means that resources are allocated to areas of highest needs so that issues of race, ethnicity, gender, language proficiency or socioeconomic status are not predictors of student performance.

5.      We believe in our educators and will act in support of the teaching profession.

6.      We believe that each school is in the best position to understand the needs of its students and community.  To that end, we will encourage proactive and creative work that responds to the needs of children.

7.      We value the diversity of our community and will seek to engage all communities in support of student success.

8.      We believe in transparent communication about how we work to educate students.

9.      We believe that economic or legislative barriers will not impede our positive, proactive approach to educating all students.

Development of Collaborative Bargaining Interests

Based on our commitment to students and the interest-based process, the bargaining teams established collaborative interests to guide the work.  This contract promotes the interests of:

1.      Retaining and hiring  a world class teaching force.  This teaching force should also reflect the diversity of the student population and local community. Promoting a safe, healthy and supportive work environment for staff and students

2.      Building a contract where the NTEA and district gain pride and a sense of accomplishment

3.      Working toward exemplary working conditions in the areas of compensation, class size, workload, and teacher responsibilities.

4.      Recognizing that higher levels of student achievement cannot happen with a “one size fits all” approach.   The contract should allow for creativity and innovation in how schools respond to the learning needs of students.

5.      Building a future-focused system for teacher evaluation and support.  This interest acknowledges that teacher effectiveness is the most important factor in improving student achievement.