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Volume 09, Number 3: May 1, 2009
POSSIBLE CONTRACT SETTLEMENT Following two bargaining sessions this week, the two sides moved closer to a possible contract settlement. Agreement was reached on several items and the two sides moved closer on the main issues of this year’s negotiations, the teacher duty day and supplements. When all is said and done it looks as if supplements will go down in almost all instances. The goal set at the beginning of bargaining was to attempt to cut $750,000 from the nearly $6 million spent on supplements this year. This past week, the FHSAA which governs high school athletics in the State, agreed to decrease the number of events in all sports (except football and cheerleading) by 20% for at least the next two years. This coupled with our current financial problems fueled the need to adjust supplement payments downward. There is no way to put a positive spin on what is happening with supplement payments. There will be decreases next year and in some cases those decreases will be substantial. On a more positive note, as we reported last time, agreement was reached on fully funding our existing salary schedule with all steps and longevity payments being granted as usual. Also, the Board backed off its original plan to re-negotiate employee health benefits. That means the plan benefit levels will not decrease for next year nor will employees be asked to pay for what is now an entirely Board-paid employee plan. More and more districts around the state have been expecting employees to pick up the cost of some of their health insurance premiums. Next week we will be consumed with the teacher placement process but will hopefully find enough time to settle the contact so we can have one ready to ratify before the end of school this year. The next bargaining session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6th at the SC/TA office |