Angela Slabaugh, president of the Tonganoxie Education Association and an English teacher at Tonganoxie High School, said the negotiations team deliberately focused on low-cost proposals because TEA recognizes this is a difficult budget year.

Recently, TEA received notice that the Tonganoxie USD 464 Board of Education had declared an impasse and a mediation date had been established.

Tonganoxie High School staff members gather Tuesday morning outside THS as part of a walk-in at all district schools. Teachers held signs expressing their opposition to an impasse on contracts for the 2026-27 school year.

In the proposed contract language, the district states that leave taken in conjunction with a major holiday, at the beginning or end of the school year, or on a professional development day will be charged at a rate of two leave days for each day used, often referred to as “double docking,” according to a release from KNEA.

Certified staff members receive 10 paid time-off days each year, and those with more experience receive 11 or 12 PTO days, Slabaugh said.

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According to the proposed contract language, a professional employee will be subject to “double docking” if leave occurs on any of the following days:

• First student attendance day of the school year.

• Last student attendance day of the school year.

• The day before Thanksgiving break.

• The day after Thanksgiving break.

• The day before winter break.

• The day after winter break.

• The day before spring break.

• The day after spring break.

• Any professional development day.

• The day before or after a major holiday (Labor Day, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day).

Shawn F. Linenberger/Staff

If a professional employee is sick or has extenuating circumstances on a double-dock day, the employee may appeal the double charge in writing to the superintendent. The employee must notify the superintendent and/or designee prior to the 12th of the month. The superintendent’s decision is final.

“I’ve been on the negotiations team for five years,” Slabaugh said. “We’ve usually had a working relationship; this year, that relationship has been strained due to the board’s push for double-dock days. Our teachers are passionate professionals, and they should be trusted to use their time.”

TEA has more than 100 members, including 10 education support professionals, or ESPs, Slabaugh said.

“Our community has been very supportive,” she said.

Nicole Snider, a TEA member and special education teacher at the high school, has been with the district for four years and in the education field for 10.

“I love my job,” she said. “I love my students. But I’m here because of the double docking.”

Jaime Fahlgren, a TEA member and a business teacher at Tonganoxie High School, said the issue has united educators and strengthened the association.

“It is absolutely bringing people together,” Fahlgren said.

KNEA President Sherri Schwanz and KNEA Vice President Kimberly Howard met with educators, union members, students and community members outside the schools.

“Today’s turnout demonstrates the strength of solidarity,” Schwanz said. “When educators, community members and families stand together, their voices cannot be ignored. Educators deserve a fair contract and the professional respect that comes with it. They show up every day for students, and they deserve respect, trust and a voice in the decisions that affect their profession. Together, we are stronger, and together, we can make a difference.”

Staff members met outside the main entrance at Tonganoxie High School and at the Tonganoxie Elementary and Middle schools campus Tuesday morning. At THS, for instance, some patrons honked in support as they dropped off students. In addition, some THS students joined with faculty holding signs outside the main entrance. At 7:30 a.m., the teachers all headed inside to start the school day.

The Mirror reached out to Tonganoxie USD 464 Superintendent Shawn Poyser regarding the impasse via email and he responded.

“We understand the frustration that impasse causes and appreciate everyone’s continued commitment to the process,” Poyser said. “Our board looks forward to working with our teachers toward an outcome that is satisfactory to everyone.”

The Mirror also reached out to School Board President Justin Sturgeon as well, but he was not available for comment.

USD 464 board members next will meet in their regular monthly session at 6 a.m. Sept. 14 at the Administrative Center, 300 E. U.S. Highway 24-40 in Tonganoxie.