By Brenda Sexton

The Courier-Herald

A contingent of elementary teachers and their aides were expected to present the Enumclaw School Board with a letter explaining their dissatisfaction with the three-year contract ratified by their membership, the Enumclaw Education Association, Sept. 3.

The contract was on the board's agenda for approval at its regular Monday night meeting (after press deadline).

Elementary teachers say the contract will trade their valuable, classroom educational assistants for cash, and make them the only teaching group to make the choice between the two.

Some EEA members say the vote wasn't a fair representation of its members. They say a split ratification meeting the Friday of Labor Day weekend and the unwillingness of the team to allow discussion, questions and voting amongst the entire membership at one time was bothersome.

According to Barb Ferguson, EEA president, 61 of the 295 union members were present for the Sept. 3 ratification vote. She said each member received ample notification and was informed a vote would be taken.

A quorum, she said, consists of the membership in attendance. Sixty-one members is not an unusual number. The vote, she said, followed the constitution and bylaws of the union.

Of the 61 members, 87 percent approved the contract.

Ferguson does not feel there is a rift in the union.

"I think we are feeling some pains," said Ferguson, who also planned to be at the board meeting. "But I think we can resolve this issue and get back to the business of educating kids."

Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courier-herald.com