In 2012-’13, teachers in the school district will see a 2.1 percent percent salary increase while conceding 1.5 percent of their salaries toward the cost of medical and prescription health insurance premiums, pursuant to a new state law.
At its meeting on Tuesday, June 5, the school board voted 7-0 to approve a one-year settlement agreement with the WW-P Education Association, ratifying the contract for the district’s teachers from July 1 of this year through June 30, 2013. Board members Rachelle Feldman Hurwitz and Yibao Xu were not present for the vote.
Tony Fleres, chairman of the board’s negotiations team, said the 2.1 percent increase is significantly lower than in prior years due to the economic circumstances facing school districts and their employees. The salary increase will be distributed in accordance with salary guides that the board and association agreed to.
With an agreement in place, Fleres said the one-year contract provides a positive transition into the new school year.
“The board negotiations team was pleased that the settlement was reached by the parties themselves without the need to turn to state mediators that would have prolonged the period of negotiations. The negotiations were marked by productive dialogue,” Fleres said.
The contribution to medical insurance and prescription premiums will be the first in a four-year phase-in of regular contributions — the outcome of which will be increasing contributions each year, rising to as much as 35 percent of the cost of the premiums for the highest paid employees. There will also be no increases in stipends or hourly rates for professional activities.
Fleres also commented on the relationship the teachers’ contract has to the school budget and eventually residents’ property taxes.
“It is important to us to balance the demands of a successful school district against the taxes paid by local residents. I believe the agreement with the Education Association is sensitive to our residents’ economic circumstances and their desire for a quality school system. We believe the one-year contract before us offers a fair settlement,” he said.
This fall the school board will begin negotiations for the next contract with the Education Association.
