Silver Falls teachers warn licensed staff 'not thriving' ahead of spring bargaining

A representative of the Silver Falls Education Association told the Silver Falls School District Board on Feb. 9 that licensed staff are fatigued and the district must address workload and wellbeing before contract bargaining this spring.

"We are surviving. We are not thriving," the SFDA representative said, describing widespread illness among staff and students this year and announcing the union's bargaining team, which includes John Howard, Jennifer Rios, Matt Craig, Erin Scott and Danielle Payne. The speaker said the team assembled last month and that bargaining will open this spring.

Board members asked staff how illness is tracked; district staff confirmed records are kept and said building closures happen if absenteeism approaches roughly 30 percent, typically in coordination with county health officials. The union representative urged the board to consider mental‑health supports and workload limits when negotiating agreements.

The discussion did not include any formal proposals or changes to district policy; the union comments were delivered during the public-comment portion of the meeting and were recorded for the board’s consideration as bargaining preparations continue.