Union and testing coordinator press board over unpaid stipend and bargaining obligations

A teachers' union representative and the high school testing coordinator told the Cheboygan Area Schools board on May 18 that the district eliminated a longstanding stipend for the testing‑coordinator role this year but left the duties assigned, and they asked the board to rectify pay and to negotiate changes with the bargaining unit.

Union representative Sandy (presenting the grievance packet) described the testing‑coordinator role as a multi‑month responsibility that historically carried a supplemental stipend (the position has been paid since 2017) and said this year the district ended the stipend but still expected the work to be performed. Sandy provided data showing multiple state‑mandated spring tests across grade levels, dozens of teachers whose schedules must be adjusted, and hundreds of makeup testing sessions that required the coordinator to reorganize sessions and logistics. "When the district wants to change wages, hours, or working conditions, they need to honor the legality of the CAEA contract and have a fair and equitable conversation," she said.

High school counselor and testing coordinator Andrea Schlack described the workload she absorbed this year after a planned reorganization did not take effect and said she worked substantial hours beyond her contractual day to complete registration, rostering and make‑up testing logistics. "I have been asked nicely to do more than I have ever done before while at the same time being told that I have to do it for less pay," she said.

Administration responded that it had been the intent to reassign the role this year and that the principal had understood compensation matters, but trustees and administrators acknowledged communication gaps and that the board lacked authority at the meeting to unilaterally write a retroactive check. Given the complexity and contractual issues raised by the union — including citations to contract sections that require bargaining over wages, hours and working conditions — the board voted to table the grievance to a special meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. to allow time for review and possible negotiation steps.

The union asked the board to recognize the bargaining obligation and to consider retroactive compensation or a short memorandum that covers the current year while parties negotiate a longer‑term solution. The board did not resolve the grievance on May 18.