A memorandum of agreement that resolves a grievance between the Kalispell Education Association and Kalispell Public Schools over a middle school program awaits approval by union members.

The agreement, approved by the school board Jan. 27, clarifies expectations of teachers assigned to a class period called What I Need as a non-instructional duty period, which means teachers are there to supervise and help students — similar to a study hall — but not teach or plan lessons. 

The classification of What I Need periods matters to teachers as it affects how they are paid and how their schedules are structured (class time, prep periods, planning periods). 

What I Need is a 50-minute period — 30 minutes on early dismissal days — held every other day at the Kalispell Middle School where students focus on goal-setting and decision-making lessons and activities.  

“This agreement reflects the union’s and the district’s shared commitment to collaboration and problem-solving,” said Kalispell Education Association President Lynne Rider in a statement. “By working together to address instructional time and duty periods, we were able to reach a solution that respects educator workload while maintaining a strong focus on student learning.” 

The Kalispell Education Association has 368 members, primarily teachers. 

THE GRIEVANCE arose with differences in assertions on the intention of What I Need and its implementation.  Teachers argued that WIN time was instructional time whereas building and district administrators contended it was a duty period with structured supervision. Both sides agreed that the current collective bargaining agreement does not clearly define what a duty period entailed. 

The grievance was thoroughly discussed among teachers, administrators and trustees at a Jan. 13 board meeting. By the time it reached the board, the union had attempted to resolve the issue at the building and district levels.  

During the meeting, district administrators argued that What I Need periods were intended to operate like a structured study hall where teachers supervised, supported and helped students stay on track with goal-setting and decision-making while working independently. Teachers, however, said that What I Need curriculum, when implemented, required additional preparation, modifications, planning and teaching that extended to supervising outdoor activities to reportedly make up for staff reductions — but they were not being compensated for the extra work per the collective bargaining agreement. 

Under the agreement, teachers will provide structured support and supervision that does not require creating lessons, teaching new material, grading work or planning curriculum during What I Need time. Teachers will be expected to pick from a selection of activities for students to choose from and help students make choices about what they need to work on independently. Teachers may assist with simple tasks, such as helping a student log into a computer program, for example. 

Because of the lack of clarification regarding duty expectations, teachers who staffed What I Need, which launched at the beginning of the school year, will receive retroactive pay for up to 21 hours worked between Aug. 25 and Jan. 27. For a teacher who worked the full 21 hours, that would be about $804.51, according to Business and Finance Director Chris Campbell. Eligible teachers will receive the payment in a lump sum on Feb. 13. The agreement also stipulates that the retroactive payment “does not create a past practice or other precedence” and is a self-contained remedy. 

“Innovation often means navigating uncharted territory,” said Superintendent Matt Jensen. "When questions arose about [What I Need] responsibilities, both parties came to the table to find what was best for our students and fair to all staff. The result is an agreement that honors the work already done while providing clarity moving forward.” 

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].