Colleagues and Community Members,

At its meeting on November 26, 2018, the Board voted 7-0 to recognize that the exclusive consultation agreement with the Fort Smith Education Association, formerly known as FSCTA, had lapsed. The Board also voted to notify FSEA that it would pursue a more inclusive representation model "rather than pursue a new collective bargaining agreement with any entity."

With the lapse of the old agreement, the district has initiated a Personnel and Policy Committee transition plan. It includes the steps necessary to implement a PPC as quickly as possible in order to dramatically increase certified staff representation in the district. At this point, over 2/3 of
district teachers are not members of FSEA. FSEA also acknowledged, “Currently, FSEA does not have over 50% membership and has not for some time . . . We understand that the law requires a majority."

The new PPC will bring expanded representation. As a starting point, the model includes at least one elected representative per elementary school, two for each junior high, and three for each high school. It will also include three administrators as specified in the law. Because of the limitations imposed by Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-203 and § 6- 17-205 regarding the time of year and assistance that can be provided in organizing the PPC, we are seeking authorization from the State Board of Education to give the district the flexibility to create a broad based, elected, fully representative committee of certified staff immediately. The Board also voted 7-0 to adopt a resolution that supports this request.

If you would like to review the information related to these issues, the agenda items and supporting documents are online in the Agenda Packet for the November 12 and 26 meetings. They can be accessed using this link.

Change brings both challenges and opportunities. Working together, I believe that we can emerge from this transition period a stronger district.

Please contact me with any questions.
Best regards,

Doug Brubaker, Ph.D.

Superintendent
Fort Smith Public Schools

FORT SMITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS PERSONNEL AND POLICY COMMITTEE TRANSITION FAQS

FSPS CERTIFIED STAFF LEGAL UPDATE - MARSHALL NEY