Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 2/8/2024 - 6:30 PM
Category: Old Business and Action Items
Type: Info/Action
Subject: Authorization of Collective Bargaining
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 1: Systemic Alignment
ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement.
Goal 2: Instructional Excellence
ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction.
Goal 3: Student Accessibility and Support
ACPS will ensure students have equitable access to and engagement with programs and supports that reduce barriers to learning.
Goal 4: Strategic Resource Allocation
ACPS will strategically provide differentiated resources and supports to schools and departments.
Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement
ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
Policy: GA - Personnel Policies Goals
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
File Attachment:
240208_Memo_Authorization of Collective Bargaining.pdf
240208_Att1_Resolution_Authorization of Collective Bargaining.pdf
240208_Att2_Timeline for Collective Bargaining Resolution.pdf
240208_Resolution_Authorization of Collective Bargaining in ACPS_adopted.pdf
Agenda Item Summary: The attached resolution, if adopted, would authorize collective bargaining within Alexandria City Public Schools.
Background: In 2020, the General Assembly amended Code of Virginia ยง 40.1-57.2 to repeal the prohibition against collective bargaining for School Board employees, which was made effective May 1, 2021. This legislation granted school boards the authority to recognize any organized employee association or labor union to exclusively represent school employees, to certify/decertify freely chosen Exclusive Representative(s), and to collectively bargain and enter into collective bargaining agreements with the Exclusive Representative(s). One of the provisions in this legislation allowed a majority of public employees in a unit considered by such employees to be appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining to certify to the governing body that they wished to engage in collective bargaining. Upon receiving such certification, any governing body that had not adopted a resolution or ordinance providing for collective bargaining would be obligated to take a vote on such a resolution or ordinance within 120 days of receipt.

On October 16, 2023, the School Board received a notification from the Education Association of Alexandria indicating that a majority of licensed personnel within ACPS had expressed support for collective bargaining by such ACPS employees, thus triggering the School Board to vote on a resolution authorizing collective bargaining within ACPS. Holding a vote on the attached resolution would satisfy that obligation under the Code of Virginia.
Recommendation: The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review and approve the resolution to authorize collective bargaining in ACPS.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt - Superintendent
Vote Results:

Original Motion
Member Dr. Ashley Simpson Baird Moved, Member Kelly Carmichael Booz seconded to approve the Original motion 'The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review and approve the resolution to authorize collective bargaining in ACPS.'. Upon a Roll-Call Vote being taken, the vote was: Aye: 9 Nay: 0.
The motion Carried 9 - 0
   
Meagan L. Alderton     Yes
Jacinta Greene     Yes
Dr. Michelle Rief     Yes
Kelly Carmichael Booz     Yes
Tammy Ignacio     Yes
Christopher Harris     Yes
Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi     Yes
Dr. Ashley Simpson Baird     Yes
Tim Beaty     Yes