Hollister School District recently dumped its long-time attorney
and found new legal counsel in the hopes of speeding up contract
negotiations with the district’s teachers union and expediting
discussions concerning a land deal with the local YMCA.
Hollister – Hollister School District recently dumped its long-time attorney and found new legal counsel in the hopes of speeding up contract negotiations with the district’s teachers union and expediting discussions concerning a land deal with the local YMCA.
Superintendent Ron Crates chose last week to hire a new firm, Kay & Stevens, of Menlo Park, because its attorneys have more experience dealing with contract and property negotiations than Bryant & Brown, the district’s former counsel.
“It may save money in the long run, but it’s more about experience, ” he said.
Both firms charge similar rates – which officials were unable to provide – but Crates believes Kay & Stevens will be able to get the job done quicker and therefore cheaper.
Attorneys with Kay & Stevens have worked with Gilroy Unified School District in past contract negotiations and are familiar with the area’s teachers, Crates said. Crates also hopes the firm will help facilitate property negotiations with the San Benito County YMCA.
Last week, the district entered into discussions with the YMCA regarding the sale of 7.7 acres of land adjacent to Ladd Lane Elementary School. The YMCA is considering building a $12 to $16 million full-service recreation complex on the site.
Guy Bryant, a partner with the Oakland-based firm, had served as the district’s chief negotiator in contractual negotiations with the Hollister Elementary School Teachers Association and had represented the district for the last four years, Assistant Superintendent Peter Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez said he expects a smooth transition.
HESTA President Jan Grist, who had been frustrated by the pace of contract negotiations, is looking forward to working with the new attorneys in securing a contract for the district’s teachers, she said.
Teachers have been negotiating with the district for over a year, but talks have stalled on salary issues, Grist said. In November, HSD announced plans to cut more than $2 million in expenses and suspend all staff pay raises for the next three years – angering teachers who feel they are the victims of years of fiscal mismanagement.
But Grist believes that with new attorneys a deal will be able to reached quickly.
“The previous attorney was nothing but an obstructionist,” she said. “He didn’t realize that his job was to make deals.”
