Latest news with #UnitedTeachersofWichita
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wichita schools, unions reach pay deal
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita teachers, support staff, and school security workers will see pay raises next school year under new agreements reached with the Wichita Board of Education. The deals, which cover the 2025-2026 school year, include a 3% pay increase for teachers, classified staff (such as custodians, food service workers, and paraprofessionals), and safety personnel. Security workers will also receive an extra 1% 'catch-up' raise. Health insurance coverage and premiums will remain unchanged across all employee groups. Rare bird nests at Kansas lake closing a beach The teacher contract, negotiated by United Teachers of Wichita, also includes additional pay for educators with more experience or advanced degrees, as well as bonuses tied to attendance. Special education teachers and specialists, such as speech-language pathologists and gifted instructors, will receive extra stipends based on their roles and the schools where they work. For classified employees represented by SEIU Local 513, the new contract offers pay increases, a career advancement path, and longevity pay. Similar provisions were also included in the agreement for school security officers and dispatchers. The school board is expected to officially approve the contracts at its June 9 meeting. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
USD 259 leadership to discuss new AI policy
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Wichita Public Schools could have students using AI to complete assignments as soon as next year. The district's new AI policy is being presented to the school board on Monday night and is already facing pushback. The district says students are already using AI to help with schoolwork. Officials say they've been training teachers on how to customize lessons using the technology. The new policy puts parameters around when and how teachers can instruct students to use AI to complete assignments. District leaders say AI is here, and they need to adapt. 'Being the largest school district in Kansas, we've got to lead the way in this in creating a safe environment for AI, as much as it's going to change everything, right?' Robert Dickson, CIO for Wichita Public Schools, said. 'Be able to practice it in a safe and secure manner.' Dickson says the district will have measures to protect students' privacy. Via Christi partners with high schools to expose students to health care careers The union representing Wichita teachers has concerns about how the policy came about. 'It would be amazing if they would talk to teachers first, because we have been active and involved in this process in United Teachers of Wichita,' Mike Harris, the vice president of United Teachers of Wichita, said. Harris says the district hasn't engaged with the union on discussions about AI implementation. He's worried they're pushing through a policy without consulting educators first. Harris says different teachers are at different levels of comfort with AI use. He says everyone has to be on board for implementation to work. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
USD 259 bond fails, supporters plan next steps
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita public schools will not get $450 million to renovate its buildings and build new ones. The school bond issue failed by just over 300 votes. KSN spoke to both sides of the bond campaign about how they're moving forward. Bond supporters tell KSN that they knew this would be a tough vote. They were hopeful voters would approve it, but that didn't happen. They are now saying that their fight to improve Wichita schools continues. With the vote failing, the district and its supporters are not only going back to the drawing board but also trying to find a deeper connection and understanding with the voters. 'It's time to step back and kind of look at where we are, allow the district to review what happened here, and then let them figure out next steps,' said Bradley Dyer, Jr., with the Vote Yes campaign. The bond would have funded new facilities, security upgrades and repairs to existing buildings. 'We're still going to have kids that would be going into these older buildings. So, the problems are unresolved,' he said. The group that campaigned against the bond says district leaders did not give enough clarity on how it would affect property taxes. It also claims the district mismanaged its finances. 'This wasn't just on taxes, but it was on transparency and accountability. A lot of unanswered questions, a lot of plans that just didn't make sense in the short or the long term,' said Ben Davis with the Vote No campaign. United Teachers of Wichita says district-wide improvements are desperately needed, but the district has a lot of work ahead. 'The district is going to have to work to overcome that and be open, honest and transparent and listen to the community and make sure that they understand the criticisms and how they can work with the community to address them appropriately,' said Mike Harris, Vice President of United Teachers of Wichita. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
