Union warns Silver Falls staff are "surviving, not thriving" as contract bargaining approaches

A representative speaking for the Silver Falls Education Association told the school board on Feb. 9 that district staff are under sustained strain and the status quo is "not sustainable" as contract bargaining approaches.

"We are surviving. We are not thriving," the union representative said during public remarks, noting high rates of staff and student illness this semester and saying licensed staff reported no mental capacity for additional duties. The speaker listed the SFDA bargaining team that will participate in upcoming negotiations and said the union expects bargaining to open this spring.

Board members acknowledged the concern during follow-up questions about absence tracking and building closures. Administrators said the district tracks illness and follows county guidance for closures; they noted some buildings have been closed this year when illness approached the county threshold. No bargaining proposals were presented at the meeting; the remarks were recorded as part of public comment and staff updates.