1. COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE THAT IS THE QUESTION COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE THAT IS THE QUESTION! Presented by: Dorothy Davis, Director & Lerenzo Calhoun, Manager Employee and Labor Relations

2. When it comes to Management communicating during bargaining, we sometimes take on the look and demeanor of Arnold. “What you talking bout Willis?” 2 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

3. UNION: The format is well-planned, slanted, and often targets the Superintendent and Board Members Encourages the teachers to apply pressure to force a favorable decision. DISTRICT: Traditionally, we say little or nothing regarding negotiations Respond only after Union 3 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION! COMMUNICATIONS IS KEY

4. THE UNION’S COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: Bargaining update Newsletters to the membership Text messages to the membership Postcard/e-mail campaigns to Superintendent and Board Members Teachers and/or Union Officials speak and publically complain at School Board meetings 4 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

5. ADDITIONAL UNION COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIES 5 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION! Protest Rally Work To The Rule

6. SCHOOL DISTRICTS’ COMMUNICATION PLAN Head in the Sand – Not The Best Strategy 6 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

7. DISTRICT’S COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIES  District’s electronic messaging system  Post negotiation update to District website or Department sites  District newsletter  Press or news release  FAQS  In limited situations, create an update for Principals to read at a faculty meeting 7 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

8. BROWARD TEACHERS’ UNIONS 10-MINUTE SITE MEETING AGENDA Tell the District to pay up! We were promised, in September, from the District, that the pay raise was coming in November. The District is trying to say that since they had planned to pay out the raise with the Pay for Performance distribution and since there is no Pay for Performance distribution, they will not be able to process the raise at this time. 8 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

9. BROWARD TEACHERS’ UNIONS 10-MINUTE SITE MEETING AGENDA MAKE SOME NOISE! Write to your School Board representative and tell them you are ticked off! Tell them what that money means to you and your family as we near the holidays. 9 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

10. WHAT CAN DISTRICT LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATE? JUST THE FACTS MA’AM Clear, precise communications SUMMARY OF CONTRACT OFFERS (after presentation at the bargaining table) Updates on Progress (Movement or Tentative Agreements) Keep communications simple, direct, consistent, and frequent 10 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

11. DISTRICT’S COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSE 11 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION! 1)In October 2013, the District and the BTU reached an agreement as it pertains to several key matters, including salary increases for employees on both salary schedules (Grandfathered and ACCESS). A link is provided below to the joint press release at the time that a tentative agreement was reached, and a copy is attached for your convenience: http://www.btuonline.com/pdfs/2013/PDFs/NEWSRELEASE JointNewsConference Teacher Compensation 101813.pdfhttp://www.btuonline.com/pdfs/2013/PDFs/NEWSRELEASE JointNewsConference Teacher Compensation 101813.pdf.

12. DISTRICT’S COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSE 12 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION! 2) Since December 2013, District representatives have been discussing with Broward Teachers Union representatives salary increases for teachers on both salary schedules (Grandfathered and ACCESS) to be paid at the same time and retroactive to July 1, 2014. Salary increases for teachers on ACCESS require negotiations to determine the amount of salary increases for eligible teachers based on their overall evaluation rating. VAM scores for 2013-2014 were released on November 17, 2014.

13. DISTRICT’S COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSE 13 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION! 3)The District and the BTU negotiated a Grandfathered salary schedule and Pay for Performance salary schedule during the 2013-2014 negotiations with an effective date of July 1, 2014. Employees who selected the Pay for Performance salary schedule as well as those required to be paid on Pay for Performance, were placed on the Pay for Performance Salary Schedule effective July 1, 2014. As part of the 3 year agreement that was Board approved after ratification by the BTU, details of the administration of Pay for Performance was included in the agreement. Negotiations for this year are to determine the amount of the salary increase on the Pay for Performance (ACCESS) salary schedule.

14. DISTRICT’S COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSE 14 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION! 4)The District offered to negotiate the amount of pay increases for teachers on the Pay for Performance salary schedule during the 2013-2014 school year. The BTU rejected the District’s offer and requested to negotiate the amount of pay increases to teachers during the 2014-2015 school year. The BTU rejected the District’s offer and requested to negotiate the amount of pay increases to teachers during the 2014- 2015 school year. The negotiations are currently underway; a session was held on November 19, 2014 and the next session is scheduled for December 5, 2014, at a location to be determined.

15. SETTING THE STAGE – CREATING THE COMMUNICATIONS PLAN  Does your District use the district’s goals to guide bargaining?  Does the Board connect District priorities and bargaining priorities?  What steps could you have taken to draw a closer connection between goal/priorities and proposals? 15 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

16. SETTING THE STAGE – CREATING THE COMMUNICATIONS PLAN  Is there a designated note taker on your bargaining team? It’s important to be able to: Review bargaining notes Retrace your steps/words Gain input from team members  Has someone been appointed to write update? 16 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

17. COMMUNICATION CAVEATS  Tell your story  What’s your key message and theme? Example: Anchor your story in student services “ The District provided $8 million to cover the unfunded mandate of extending the school day for elementary schools designated as the Lowest 300.” “The district invested $700 million of the $1 Billion budget to expenses associated with the classroom.” 17 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

18. COMMUNICATIONS CAVEATS Themes:  Tell them what the district wants and why  Overall theme: Improve the ability of the district to maximize its resources efficiently and effectively to improve student achievement Examples: 1) Proposed changes to the CBA improve instruction and supports district’s core values 2) Proposed changes to the CBA improves teachers’ workday thereby allowing more time for collegial conversations and collaborative planning 18 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

19. COMMUNICATIONS CAVEATS Focus on core issues: Student Achievement Economic Sustainability Operational Efficiency Accountability Core issues help to remind everyone of the Key Focus: EDUCATING THE KIDS 19 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

20. COMMUNICATIONS CAVEATS  Acknowledge conflicts. They are inevitable. Example: “The District’s initial economic proposal was the $11 million increase to the salaries of teachers as outlined in the 3-year agreement. The Union’s initial economic proposal was $30 million.”  Remain positive in terms of the tone Example: “Although the parties are far apart on initial economic proposals, the Board and Superintendent remain optimistic that we can reach an agreement soon.” 20 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

21. COMMUNICATION CAVEATS  Practice Patience Never be anxious to respond to the Union’s communication  Start slow but steady  Position the District with credible information  Focus on the outcomes 21 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

22. COMMUNICATION CAVEATS  The release timing of communications is essential  The right form of communication is essential  Send out a communication to all employees once you settle other agreements 22 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

23. 23 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

24. Final Communication Caveats Depending on your District’s relationship with the Union: Consider releasing a joint communication Discuss exchanging communications prior to release 24 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!

25. QUESTIONS 25 COMMUNICATE OR NOT TO COMMUNICATE DURING BARGAINING: THAT IS THE QUESTION!