About seventy unsigned unilateral contracts were delivered to the Holton USD 336 district office Monday.
Joni White, president of the Holton National Education Association, said it was a “ united statement” to the board that teachers aren’t happy about the unilateral contracts.
During a special meeting last week, the board of education voted to extend unilateral contracts to teachers after the district’s teachers reject the board’s offer for a 2011-2012 school year contract
In not signing the unilateral contracts, White said they are concerned about the random changes made by the board that affect teachers’ job security...( play audio ) 
Teachers could either accept the unilateral contract, continue under the 2010-2011 contract or resign without penalty.  First year teachers had to accept the unilateral contracts.
Cari Andrews, head negotiator for Holton teachers, said teachers haven’t  received a raise in more than four years..( play audio )
Andrews says the board did offer a two percent retention bonus at the beginning of the year, but made it clear it wasn’t part of the negotiations..( play audio )
Holton Superintendent Nancy Meyer said the uncertainty of state funding drove the district’s decisions.  Meyer said the Kansas Legislature cut $279,000 from their district this year, and said the cuts could continue.
The district and teachers will begin negotiations for the 2012-2013 school year soon.
White and Andrews say they look forward to having discussions that are positive, respectful and professional. 
They say they remain hopeful for the future of USD 336 and its teachers and won’t let the negativity of the unilateral contract affect the district’s students or the way teachers do their jobs.