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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, March 13 Blooms coming too early for Rogue Valley's bees App Finder: Best outdoors apps Medford cites 'conflict of interest' in study on Coquilles' proposed casino Pot issues leave Medford council dazed Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 13 Medford Little Feet Children's Shoes burglarized in downtown Emergency services: March 12 Drug search warrant leads to two Medford arrests Rogue River man convicted of kidnapping, assault Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Education Medford School District calls foul on teachers union Supporters rally to back beleaguered principal St. Mary's reaches out to China Work your body to save your braaaaains Inert grenade spurred White Mountain Middle School evacuation Environment Blooms coming too early for Rogue Valley's bees Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift DEQ issues fines over illegal White City dumping site Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? State News Lebanon High School sharpshooters aim for national titles Man languishes in Oregon jail, hasn't commit a crime Judge sides with Oregon, sends Oracle case to state court Strippers make case to Oregon legislators for work improvements Brown ends contract with Kitzhaber adviser-business owner Nation - World Obituaries Shiela Marie Death Notices Death Notices Norma Catherine Morgan Marlene Milliron (Smock) Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories La Salle ends Crater's championship hopes North Medford topples Klamath Falls for title Duke cruises past N.C. State, 77-53 Irving erupts for 57 in Cavs' triumph Ducks get defensive, roll into semifinals Varsity 541 College Sports Duke cruises past N.C. State, 77-53 Ducks get defensive, roll into semifinals West's last-second score gives SOU upset Beavers fall to Buffaloes at Pac-12 tourney Two Beavers seeded for NCAA Championships Pro Sports Irving erupts for 57 in Cavs' triumph Ferrell bats, fields, coaches in Arizona Allred tied for second with opening 65 Mariota draws scrutiny at Ducks' pro day Eagles land All-Pro running back Murray Community Sports Business Latest Stories East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February Jackson County jobless rate falls to 7.7 percent Blog: Manufacturing leads Oregon's export expansion Disruptive forces: Coming to a business near you Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time Letters to the Editor, March 13 Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Our View: Medford native Dave Frohnmayer leaves legacy of distinguished service Letters to the Editor, March 12 Editorials Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time Our View: Medford native Dave Frohnmayer leaves legacy of distinguished service Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Our View: Atkins a safe choice for secretary of state Our View: Driving voter turnout is no sure thing for Oregon Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 13 Letters to the Editor, March 12 Letters to the Editor, March 11 Letters to the Editor, March 10 Letters to the Editor, March 9 Columns Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US George Will: The Export-Import Bank's tenacious grip Dana Milbank: Republicans set up a breakaway nation Kathleen Parker: Adolescent senators dunking the president Kent Bush: Things will never change unless we change them Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Lifestyle Latest stories Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 Fishing Report: Friday, March 13 Looking Up: Amazing age of discovery Hunting's Second Season Drawing for youth turkey hunts March 31 Food Community blog: Fewer and fewer of us eschew brilliant beets Season Stepp: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with authentic Irish recipes Page H. Onorato: The 10 commandments for the Southern cook Page H. Onorato: Try out this hot stuff in your kitchen on a cold night Serra storms Seattle Home and Garden Using universal design Dear Monty: Successful rezoning property requires a plan Garden Cameos: Time to give your garden a new look Carol Link: Eradicate weeds completely, use edgers to help keep thrift on slope Paul Rogers: Daylight Saving, full moon hopeful signs for spring Health Health Watch: Living smart to protect your heart Community blog: Can Twentysomething Depression Be�Healed? Dr. Murray Feingold: What’s your excuse for being late? Community blog: The Future is Now Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Milestones and Achievements Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Warren G. performs at the Historic Ashland Armory Theater Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love Music Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland The Farr Side: Madonna — ever the trendsetter Warren G. performs at the Historic Ashland Armory Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' Community Events Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Dining Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time ... Blooms coming too early for Rogue Valley's bees ... Drawing for youth turkey hunts March 31 ... Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time ... Blooms coming too early for Rogue Valley's bees ... Drawing for youth turkey hunts March 31 ... EDUCATION Medford School District calls foul on teachers union By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 12, 2015 @ 11:37 am Updated at 4:45 PM By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 12, 2015 @ 11:37 am Updated at 4:45 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> The Medford School District has given the Medford Education Association a virtual wrist-slapping for its actions during a mediation to resolve an unfair labor practice complaint filed by the union in October 2013. The district has filed its own unfair labor practice complaint with the state, alleging that the teachers union did not provide a “good faith offer” during a Nov. 16 mediation session and had published “inaccurate information” on its website about the status of the ongoing litigation. Last fall, after Oregon’s Employment Relations Board issued a final order regarding the October 2013 complaint, board Chairwoman Kathryn Logan recommended that both parties attempt to resolve the issue in a mediated bargaining session, which was held Nov. 16. Both parties later agreed that those deliberations and the mediator's statements would be confidential. But according to the district’s complaint filed in December, MEA representatives submitted an offer but then left the building without waiting for the district to respond, “effectively” ending the mediation session. The MEA, according to the complaint, later issued a public statement to its members that “accused the district of an intentional violation of the good faith standard,” among other things. District officials said Wednesday that the statement has since been removed from the MEA’s website. “I think the overarching reason the district filed is because the board wants to make sure that accurate information gets out to all staff,” said School Board Chairman Jeff Thomas. “And there was communication that went out to MEA membership that, in our opinion, wasn’t accurate and put the district and the board in an awkward situation. “We felt it was important to file the ULP to set a standard of communication moving forward, whether that’s from staff to board or board to staff. If we are going to work collaboratively, then we need to trust that the information is disseminated in a clear and accurate way.” Calls to MEA President Cheryl Lashley were not returned. A hearing before an administrative law judge on the district's complaint will be held on or sometime after April 14, said Mary Barton, the Employment Relations Board’s hearings assistant. Brad Earl, the district’s chief financial officer and one of the two members of its bargaining team, declined to elaborate on the circumstances leading the district to file the complaint. “We don’t want to upset the process,” he said Wednesday. “We’re trying our best to have a respectful discourse with teachers,” he added. “But there are some players behind the scenes that are making it hard.” Thomas said that the complaint has nothing to do with the “rank-and-file teachers” but rather those representing them. “To me, it’s not about an unfair labor practice,” he said. “It’s about setting some ground rules for communication so that all parties get fair and accurate information.” In the complaint, the district asks the ERB to order the union to remove the published statement, to “cease and desist publishing inaccurate information,” to post a corrected statement reviewed by the district, to award a civil penalty of $1,000 and to reimburse the district’s filing fee. The October 2013 complaint filed by the union stated that the district had violated the memorandum of agreement included in the 2011-13 contract. The memorandum recognized that teachers had lost eight work days and the corresponding compensation and stipulated that if the district received additional funding, then those days and teachers’ salaries would be restored in the subsequent year. The district added back four days in 2012-13 and an additional four days under the 2013-16 contract, but there was still money up for dispute. The Nov. 16 mediation session was the district’s and union’s final attempt to bargain over the amount still owed teachers. When that failed, the ERB ordered that the district pay $345,067 to MEA members, who had been seeking up to $729,000. Teachers received their share of the settlement Dec. 24. Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt . By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 12, 2015 @ 11:37 am Updated at 4:45 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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