By Amy Sienicki
 
February 11, 2009
 
ASHLAND, Ore. -- The Ashland School District is making changes to its proposal to cut 5 school days after the Southern Oregon Bargaining Council did not approve their plan earlier this week.
 
At a board meeting Monday, the district presented two Memos of Understanding, or MOUs, to the council. The first, which provided retirement incentives to employees, was approved by the SOBC. The second, which cut 5 school days, was not. The SOBC said it wants clarification based on the fact that the school district currently has the right to cut two school days without teacher permission.
 
"Our MOU stated that it would be a cut of 5 days. So the SOBC asked that we reword that so it would clarify that it's only three days plus the two days the district has the right to give," says Leanne Wallace, president of the Ashland Education Association, a union made up of local teachers.
 
The SOBC, which is made up of union leaders from Jackson and Josephine counties, also wants to wait until the release of the state budget forecast February 20 before they make any desicions.
 
The SOBC and AEA plan to meet again March 2nd.