We have established this page to inform the community about collective bargaining with district employees represented by labor unions. 

 2023 CEA Bargaining

Salary comparison

On August 27, 2023, our district proposed a two-year contract to the Camas Education Association (CEA) that included a raise of 5.7% for the 23/24 school year. Below are comparisons among different steps on the proposed 23/24 teacher salary schedule for Camas alongside neighboring districts.  View the offer. View the PDF of the Summary of Bargaining Topics.

Summary

Top Step Salary Scale
EVERGREEN** $119,419
CAMAS $118,363
WASHOUGAL $117,876
RIDGEFIELD $116,346
VANCOUVER $116,086
HOCKINSON* $112,983
BATTLEGROUND* $111,175
WOODLAND $111,174
LA CENTER* $110,812

 

7 yrs, MA, Salary Scale
EVERGREEN** $86,148
CAMAS $85,067
WASHOUGAL $81,624
VANCOUVER $80,385
RIDGEFIELD $79,943
BATTLEGROUND* $79,813
HOCKINSON $78,237
WOODLAND $76,984
LA CENTER* $76,733

 

Entry-Level Salary Scale
EVERGREEN** $64,927
CAMAS $63,278
WASHOUGAL $62,541
RIDGEFIELD $61,996
VANCOUVER $61,589
HOCKINSON $59,943
WOODLAND $58,984
LA CENTER $58,792
BATTLEGROUND* $58,133

*Note: These districts currently have open contracts, so a 4.5% inflationary factor was used for comparison purposes. 

**Evergreen rates reflect the latest district proposal dated August 9, 2023.

View our most current proposed salary schedules.

Questions & Answers

Strike IssuesSalaries
STRIKE ISSUES

CEA stated that today, September 5, the district didn’t come to bargaining until 2 PM and yesterday not until 3 PM. Why are you not at the table? There is a recurring rhetoric that our district isn’t at the table, and it is patently false. Our bargaining team typically assembles around 8 AM and often stays until 7 PM or later. Monday and today are no different. What is true is that each team has its own conference room to caucus, and they come together to share at different points in the day to discuss proposals. Lately, caucus periods have been exceptionally long on both sides as we work to develop creative solutions to items without agreement.

Why are you closing schools during the strike? Can’t we have substitute teachers teaching students? Currently, we have around 150 substitutes, which doesn’t come close to the number of teachers we would need. Additionally, many also substitute in other districts.

If our schools don’t start on August 28, will we have to make up the missed day(s)? State law requires 180 days of instruction, and the state will grant no exceptions to that law because of a strike. Makeup days would first follow our inclement weather makeup days. However, final decisions about when strike-lost school days will be made up will be determined when the strike is complete. Possible make-up days can include Saturdays, winter break, spring break, non-student work days, and days added at the end of the year. School cannot legally be held on Sundays or holidays.

Will athletics be allowed to continue while schools are closed? Coaches have a separate contract that would not be impacted by a CEA strike.

What about childcare and preschool? All preschools would be closed until school resumes. Plans are being made for some childcare opportunities through Community Education. Information about childcare will be shared if the start of school is delayed.

I’m not in CEA. Am I supposed to go to work? Employees who follow the school day calendar (9- and 10-month staff) will not report to work until the school year officially begins. Year-round staff members will work their normal schedule.

SALARIES

How much are Camas teachers earning? When did they last receive a raise? Camas teachers receive raises on a regular basis. Over the last three years, teachers have seen total increases between 8.3% and 11.6%. 

Total Compensation Starting Teacher 7 yrs., MA Top Teacher
2020-21 $54,469 $71,949 $103,130
2021-22 $55,667 $78,519 $105,399
2022-23 $59,724 $80,286 $111,711
Three-year % Change 9.7% 11.6% 8.3%


Is the district proposing salary cuts? How can we go backward in pay?
Our current proposal offers a 4.95% increase in the first year of the contract plus IPD for years two and three.

Total Compensation Starting Teacher 7 yrs., MA Top Teacher
2023-24 $62,679 $84,263 $117,242
One-year % Change 4.95% 4.95% 4.95%

 The district is using IPD to calculate raises rather than CPI, which we had in our last agreement. Why? The State of Washington calculates funding for salary increases based on the US Implicit Price Deflator for Personal Consumption (IPD), not the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Using IPD more closely aligns our spending with revenue.

From our state’s Office of Financial Management: The IPD measures the prices of a much wider group of goods and services than the CPI. For example, the IPD includes all consumption of health care rather than just out of pocket expenses and consumer purchased insurance measured in the CPI. The IPD is based on current economic conditions and consumer expenditures, tastes and preferences. It is frequently used to adjust state economic and revenue data. The state expenditure limit is based on the IPD as well as inflation adjustments in the state’s biennial budget.

https://ofm.wa.gov/washington-data-research/economy-and-labor-force/inflation


Timeline of Activities: 2023 CEA Bargaining

Bargaining Meeting - September 6, 2023

[10:30 PM]

Dear Camas Community,

We are happy to share that the Camas Education Association (CEA) and our district have tentatively agreed on a new, two-year collective bargaining contract. On behalf of our more than 1,000 staff members, we are excited to welcome back our students on Friday, September 8, 2023, subject to ratification of the contract tomorrow. 

We want to express deep appreciation for our dedicated teachers and the negotiation teams who worked tirelessly to reach an agreement that reflects our shared commitment to our students’ well-being and educational experience. 

The first day of school is always a special time, filled with anticipation and the promise of new opportunities. Thank you for your continued support, trust, and partnership. Together, we create an environment where our students can thrive and succeed.

We wish you and your family a fantastic start to the school year. 

Warm regards,

John Anzalone
Superintendent

NOTE: A revised calendar will be released early next week. State law requires 180 days of instruction, and the state will grant no exceptions to that law because of a strike. Makeup days will first follow our inclement weather makeup days.


[4 PM]

Dear Camas Community,

Today, both district and CEA negotiation teams made progress, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement as soon as possible. Each day brings us closer to agreement, and our ability to come together is a powerful testament to what can be achieved through creativity and collaboration.

Negotiations with the Public School Employee, our largest employee group, concluded today when a tentative agreement was reached. PSE represents our nearly 650 custodians, bus drivers, paraeducators, health assistants, food services workers, technology, mechanics, and maintenance employees. Read more in this press release.

With gratitude and anticipation for what lies ahead,

John Anzalone
Superintendent

Bargaining Meeting - September 5, 2023

Dear Camas Community,

Today, our bargaining focused on secondary class size, which includes maximum class size language and options for remediation, including paraprofessional classroom support and class overload compensation.

We’ve received questions about our district’s current fund balance, the planned use of these funds over three years, and how our district’s proposal to CEA would impact the fund balance. Please read this summary to learn more about how this spending will occur and where we’ll be in two years.

Based on questions we’ve received from our community, we added the following to the Question and Answer portion of our Labor Relations page.

CEA stated that today, September 5, the district didn’t come to bargaining until 2 PM and yesterday not until 3 PM. Why are you not at the table? There is a recurring rhetoric that our district isn’t at the table, and it is patently false. Our bargaining team typically assembles around 8 AM and often stays until 7 PM or later. Monday and today are no different. What is true is that each team has its own conference room to caucus, and they come together to share at different points in the day to discuss proposals. Lately, caucus periods have been exceptionally long on both sides as we work to develop creative solutions to items without agreement.

In a few minutes, you’ll receive an alert indicating that school is closed tomorrow. Please know that we are still bargaining today and will continue to be fully engaged in this bargaining process.

Sincerely,

John Anzalone
Superintendent

Bargaining Meeting - September 4, 2023

Dear Camas Community,

Currently, we are bargaining with CEA and have hope that we may come to an agreement this evening. We will let you know by 6 PM tonight if there will be school tomorrow. 

Sincerely,

John Anzalone
Superintendent

Bargaining Meeting - September 1, 2023

Dear Camas Community,

Today was day two of negotiations with our mediator. We solidified prior tentative agreements on more than 20 items. At approximately 5 PM, CEA informed us that they would not return to the bargaining table until Monday, September 4, at 10 AM.

I’m deeply saddened that our work has been stalled. As soon as anything changes, I will let you know.

Sincerely,

John Anzalone
Superintendent

Bargaining Meeting - August 31, 2023

Dear Camas Community,

Today, a Washington Public Employment Relations Commission mediator joined us to assist CEA and our district in negotiations, which has provided a productive reset to our conversations. We are still negotiating tonight and plan to continue Friday and through the weekend if necessary.

Tomorrow, September 1, is a planned day off from school, and Monday is Labor Day. I remain optimistic that we can get to an agreement and start school on Tuesday. If negotiations have not yet concluded, we will send an announcement no later than 4 PM on Monday regarding school closures.

As we navigate these negotiations, we are keeping front and center the students whom we have the privilege of serving.

Sincerely,

John Anzalone
Superintendent

Bargaining Meeting - August 30, 2023

Dear Camas Community,

Today, you received a notice about school being closed tomorrow. We’re all saddened that our students haven’t been able to attend their first week of school.

I believe in the strength of our community to come together. Continuing to engage in dialogue will allow us to bridge the gaps currently dividing us and strengthen a foundation of trust and collaboration. We will find common ground because we must.

Important progress was made today, and I am hopeful we’ll reach an agreement very soon.

Sincerely,

John Anzalone
Superintendent

Bargaining Meeting - August 29, 2023

Dear Camas Community,

This morning, our district requested mediation to assist with bargaining.

On Sunday, our district’s bargaining team presented its best offer before CEA’s self-imposed strike deadline of 6:00 p.m. Our district:

  • Offered lowered class sizes;

  • Offered additional music, P.E., and library funding;

  • Offered additional collaboration time for teachers; and

  • Offered to increase teacher salaries by 5.7% this year and another 5.9% next year.

In response, CEA went on strike. They have not presented another proposal since declaring a strike.

CEA’s current monetary demands are unsustainable. As our district’s team shared with CEA this summer, their demands would exhaust all state and local revenue sources and deplete all current reserves in the second year of the contract.

We’re going to get through this. And we’re going to come together when it’s all done. But it’s probably going to take longer than any of us want. We’re hopeful a mediator will help our teams bridge the gap.

I’m sorry not to have better news this morning.

Sincerely,

John Anzalone
Superintendent

Bargaining Meeting - August 28, 2023

Dear Camas Community,

Today, our district and CEA agreed to meet after the board meeting at 7:30 PM tonight to discuss negotiations. Discussions will continue tomorrow.

During tonight’s board meeting, the board passed a resolution authorizing our district to take legal action, if necessary, to end the strike.

View our Labor Relations page for current information. We appreciate the engagement we saw at the board meeting tonight.

Please note: we will continue to serve lunches at Liberty Middle School and Lacamas Lake Elementary from 11 AM –  noon. Thank you for your support and patience.

Sincerely,

John Anzalone
Superintendent

Bargaining Meeting - August 27, 2023

CEA has informed our district that there will be no school tomorrow. They are striking.

Today, CEA presented a comprehensive proposal with higher than previously requested salary increases as well as lower than previously requested class sizes. Our district’s bargaining team is disappointed that CEA is regressing.

Our district has presented its last, best, and final offer. In it, we offered to raise salaries in 2023 by 5.7% and in 2024 by 5.9%. Our district’s proposal would make CEA teachers among the highest-paid educators in the region. Our highest-paid teachers would earn over $118,363 in 2023-24 and $124,991 in 2024-25.

Conversely, CEA’s request puts the highest-paid salaries from $121,653 for 2023-24 up to $129,746 for 2024-25. CEA’s request in its third year of the contract would put the highest-paid teachers at $135,886.

Bargaining Meeting - August 26, 2023

Today, our district and the Camas Education Association bargaining teams negotiated from 10:00 a.m. until after 8:00 p.m. and agreed on numerous outstanding items. What remains is below:

  • Today, our district raised its comprehensive salary proposals twice: from the previous 4.7% salary increase to a 5.0% increase for the 2023/2024 school year, we then raised the offer to 5.25%. CEA’s comprehensive salary proposal remains at 8.9%.

  • Both teams made meaningful progress in narrowing the gap in class sizes and additional programmatic funding for music, library, and physical education.

  • Our district continues to offer to reduce class sizes in kindergarten, first and second grades,  as well as in middle school and high school.

CEA indicated they will be available to bargain at noon on Sunday. Our district’s bargaining team will return to the table Sunday morning and is committed to reaching an agreement on these outstanding issues by CEA’s deadline of 6 PM.

Bargaining Meeting - August 25, 2023

Over the past three months, both our district and CEA worked on and agreed to the following items:

  • Providing lowered class size and caseloads to special education staff;

  • Providing teachers additional authority over student discipline, restorative conferences, and reentry meetings.

  • Providing elementary teachers an additional 80 minutes of planning time per week;

  • Providing CEA more consistency around start and end times for their workday;

  • Providing secondary teachers continuous planning time during the school day;

  • Providing teachers additional monetary stipends and overload support when they have more special education students;

  • Providing co-teachers (special education/general education classes) additional monetary stipends and planning time support;

  • Providing school psychologists and speech-language pathologists with lower caseloads.

 

There are a handful of items left on the table, including:

  • Salary;

  • Substitute rate of pay;

  • Special education stipends;

  • Class size;

  • Professional development stipends.

The next meeting is on August 26.

Bargaining Meeting - August 24, 2023

Progress was made on the following issues:

  • Class size;

  • Overload pay;

  • Staff schedules; and

  • Personal leave.

Both groups previously made significant progress related to special education services.  The next meeting is on August 25.

Bargaining Meeting - August 21, 2023

Both the Union and District made significant progress in the areas of grievance procedures, start and end times for staff, and music and library funding.  The next meeting is on August 24.

Bargaining Meeting - August 17, 2023

The Union and District exchanged proposals.  The next meeting is on August 21.

Bargaining Meeting - August 15, 2023

The Union and District exchanged proposals.  The next meeting is on August 17.

Bargaining Meeting - August 4, 2023

The Union and District exchanged proposals.  The next meeting is on August 15.

Bargaining Meeting - August 2, 2023

The Union and District exchanged proposals.  The next meeting is on August 4.

Bargaining Meeting - July 28, 2023

The Union and District exchanged proposals.  The next meeting is on August 1.

Bargaining Meeting - June 23, 2023

The Union and District exchanged proposals.  The next meeting is on July 28.

Bargaining Meeting - June 2, 2023

The District and Union held their third bargaining session.  The District provided a counterproposal, and the Union provided a counterproposal as well. The next meeting is scheduled for June 23.

Bargaining Meeting - May 24, 2023

Our District and Union held their second bargaining session.  The District provided an initial proposal to the Union. The next meeting is scheduled for June 2.

Bargaining Meeting - May 18, 2023

Initial bargaining opened, and the Union shared its initial proposal.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 24.

Timeline of Activities: 2023 PSE Bargaining

Bargaining Meeting - September 6, 2023

Negotiations with the Public School Employee, our largest employee group, concluded today when a tentative agreement was reached. PSE represents our nearly 650 custodians, bus drivers, paraeducators, health assistants, food services workers, technology, mechanics, and maintenance employees. Read more in this press release.

Bargaining Meeting - September 5, 2023

Multiple tentative agreements were reached, and bargaining will continue on September 6.

Bargaining Meeting - August 31, 2023

Multiple tentative agreements were reached, and bargaining will continue on September 5.

Bargaining Meeting - August 29, 2023

Multiple tentative agreements were reached, and bargaining will continue on August 31.

Bargaining Meeting - August 11, 2023

PSE began on August 11, 2023. Multiple tentative agreements were reached, and bargaining will continue on August 29.

Timeline of Activities: 2023 CAEOP Bargaining

Bargaining Meeting - September 19, 2023

The Union and District reached a tentative agreement on a two-year contract.

Bargaining Meeting - August 18, 2023

The Union and District exchanged proposals.

Bargaining Meeting - June 28, 2023

The Union and District exchanged proposals.  The next meeting is on August 18.

Bargaining Meeting - May 23, 2023

Initial bargaining opened, and the Union and District shared initial proposals. The next meeting is scheduled for June 28.


Our goals for all contract negotiations:

Recruit & Retain

  • Fair and competitive compensation for all roles in the school district
  • Reward staff who continue to serve our district

Grow & Innovate

  • Invest in professional growth and training for all staff
  • Create the capacity to develop programming to meet evolving student needs
  • Develop alternative revenue sources

Sustain

  • Maintain capacity to support staff with curriculum, resources, and programs needed for student learning
  • Align district staffing with the state funding model
  • Maintain capacity for enrichment activities

 

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