Published: March 06, 2009 11:13 pm      

Northeast teachers, district bargain

By MaryLou Hinrichsen

Herald Staff Writer

GOOSE LAKE — Collective bargaining teams from the Northeast Community Education Association and the school district have conducted two public meetings to present their proposals and are now meeting in closed session.

The teachers proposed a 5 percent increase in the salary/benefits package and the district offered a 3.4 percent package increase. Base salary this year is $26,161.11.

According to Superintendent Jim Cox, the cost of health insurance coverage for the teachers will go up 9.5 percent in the coming year. Currently employees pay nothing toward that cost. Under the district’s proposal for next year, the district would continue to pay the full cost for single employees and 85 percent for family coverage. The insurance premiums this year are costing the district $4,205 annually for single coverage and $10,067 for family coverage.

The teachers’ bargaining chairman, Kevin Enwright, said, “A major concern for our members has been, and continues to be, increased costs associated with health care.

“When the cost of premiums increases, then some, if not most, of the new money that is put into the salary schedule will go toward maintaining current coverage for our members. Our initial proposal takes into account this certain rise in the cost, which will be passed on to our members. We have twice made compromises and changed insurance plans to one with higher deductibles and higher out of pocket expenses.”

He continued, “The Northeast Community School District is financially secure, with a substantial unspent balance (actual dollars in the bank). Because of this, our district has not levied any additional cash reserve taxes.”

He went on to say: “Our financial security can be attributed to what we consider to be very sound leadership and financial resources other than general fund dollars. For example, the one cent sales tax has allowed districts to spend more of their general fund money on programs and costs that directly affect students, not infrastructure. Although our in-district enrollment has declined, Northeast continues to attract open enrolled students, adding greatly to the financial stability of our district.”

However, Enwright said, “Teachers in our district average 16 years of teaching experience, compared to the state average of 14 years. Despite this, our teachers’ salaries lag approximately $4,000 per year behind the state’s average teaching salary. This shows a discrepancy, which needs to be addressed during the negotiations process.”

Other items the teachers seek to bring to the bargaining table include:

n Extending the salary schedule beyond the 30th year of service;

n A guaranteed period of preparation per day to meet the requirement for development of lessons, which stress rigor and relevance;

n Compensation for the teachers who work outside the contractual day as advisors to SADD and TAG groups; and

n A retirement package.

Cox said Northeast teachers have been very reasonable in their requests, but he pointed out this is an extremely difficult year for both sides. He said the district hopes to avoid layoffs or cuts in programs this year, but next year is expected to be even more difficult.Northeast teachers, district bargain