School Board denies union grievance

The Red Wing School Board denied 6-0 a grievance from a teachers union Monday night requesting that teachers be allowed paid leave to watch their children compete in state tournaments.

“We are opposed to the elimination of a long standing policy without that policy being reviewed and mutually agreed upon,” Education Minnesota President Kirby Hanson wrote in the grievance.

Since 1997, teachers were allowed paid leave to watch their children compete in Minnesota State High School League state tournaments. This paid time off did not require them to use their two personal days.

Supt. Karsten Anderson, who began his position with the district last July, instructed a teacher to use personal leave or request a day without pay to watch a MSHSL tournament.

“This direction violates the long standing practice that has been in place during the tenure of our previous four Superintendents,” Hanson wrote.

After reviewing the grievance, Anderson denied it, stating that employees who want to attend tournaments are “requesting leave for personal reasons.”

EMRW then appealed to the School Board, attaching a letter from former Supt. Clayton Hovda from 1997 that stated teachers could attend these games without taking personal leave.

The board, however, disagreed with the 15-year-old policy. A board subcommittee reviewed the grievance in a hearing April 11 and recommended denial. The full board voted to accept the recommendation Monday. Board member Paul Kramp was absent and therefore did not vote.

“Personal leave days, for me, are more for unplanned days,” Board member Mike Christensen said, giving the examples of a neighbor getting sick and needing help or some other unexpected occurrence. “Are we going to extend it to every parent?”

Board member Dennis Porter called for the matter to be addressed in negotiations.

“It’s become a big issue,” he said.

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