The District 50 employee contract is official. The Board of Education voted unanimously on Sept. 11 to ratify the tentative contract agreement for the 2012-2013 school year.
Westminster Education Association members also approved the agreement last month with high hopes of future progression. WEA represents 76 percent of both licensed staff and Educational Support Professionals employed by the district,
“We are very glad to be able to ratify the agreement knowing we are right around the corner for bargaining to begin for the next school year,” said Melissa Duran, WEA president. “Our hope is that we can discuss future options for reoccurring pay increases.”
The 2012-2013 contract provides a one-time stipend of 1.59 percent to Education Support Professionals and allows for horizontal moves for licensed staff. Longtime teachers who have reached the maximum horizontal pay schedule will also receive a one-time stipend of 1 percent. The contract also covers health and dental insurance costs for both licensed employees and ESP employees and covers increased PERA costs.
“We think this is a fair agreement that shows how much we value all of our hard working employees while recognizing the budget realities the district is facing,” said superintendent Pamela Swanson.
Duran said negotiations for the following school year will cover the “master agreement,” which allows for a wide variety of topics to be discussed and negotiated. She said this option happens every three years, and she is looking forward to addressing issues concerning pay increases for not only teachers, but the ESP employees.
“I believe the staff was satisfied with this year’s contract, but they are not jumping for joy, especially the ESP employees,” she said. “In the past the board wouldn’t even consider re-occurring pay increases for the ESP employees and I am very disappointed with that. We hope to discuss those options in negotiations for next year’s contract.”