photo by: Shawn Linenberger/Tonganoxie Mirror

Teachers and community members demonstrate outside Tonganoxie High School on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026.

Dozens of members of Tonganoxie’s teachers union demonstrated outside the district’s schools last Tuesday — alongside community members, students and leaders from the Kansas National Education Association — amid an impasse in contract negotiations that centers on how vacation time is handled.

Angela Slabaugh, president of the Tonganoxie Education Association and an English teacher at Tonganoxie High School, said the negotiations team had deliberately focused on low-cost proposals because the union recognized this would be a difficult budget year. But recently, the union received notice that the Tonganoxie school board had declared an impasse and a mediation date had been established.

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 at least 10 paid time-off days each year, and those with more experience receive 11 or 12 days, Slabaugh said.

According to the proposed contract language, a professional employee would be subject to “double docking” if leave occurs on the first or last day that school is in session; the day before or after Thanksgiving, winter or spring break; the day before or after a holiday, including Labor Day, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day; or any professional development day.

If an employee is sick or has extenuating circumstances on a double-dock day, the employee may appeal the charge in writing to the superintendent. 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.”

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

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