ThisWeek CW 07/16/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/07/13/groveport-madison-schools-new-contract-gives-teachers-base-pay-raises.html
The Groveport Madison Board of Education signed what was called a “historic” agreement last week with the Groveport Madison Local Education Association, setting in place a new contract with the teachers union.
The deal is for three years, plus a one-year extension.
The contract includes base-pay increases of 2.5 percent in years one and two and a 2-percent increase in year three for teachers, counselors, school nurses and other certified employees.
The one-year extension will give those employees another base-pay increase of 2.5 percent.
Board members voted unanimously Wednesday, July 8, to approve the union-ratified agreement, which includes base salary increases and new language to allow the district to begin hiring additional teachers beginning in January.
Union President Joy Bock said GMLEA members voted unanimously to accept the tentative agreement at the Tuesday, July 7, general membership meeting.
“Since 2008, teachers have received no base increase in salary except a 1.25-percent increase in March of 2011,” she said. “Also, in two of those years, they did not receive step increases. Teachers agreed to these sacrifices in their pay in order to help the district regain solid financial ground.
“Although GMLEA members didn’t get their steps reinstated, we are pleased that the administration and board of education recognized our dedication, hard work and sacrifices by agreeing to base pay increases.”
This is the first time in 38 years that an agreement has been reached prior to the contract expiration, Bock said as she and union Vice President Zac Casperson joined school board President Nathan Slonaker to sign the agreement.
The old contract was due to expire July 31. The new contract starts Aug. 1.
“I want to thank both negotiating teams and Joy we look forward to working with you and your team going forward,” Slonaker said. “This was a historic agreement in both breadth and length.”
The GMLEA also agreed to modify insurance payments, replacing a dollar cap with a percentage amount.
According to a joint statement released by the district and the GMLEA, this change will help the district save on health-care costs and allow for any savings to be used for educational purposes.
“I want to commend both teams,” Superintendent Bruce Hoover said. “They did an outstanding job coming together on an agreement and I think it represents the work of the district over the past five years getting us here today.
“I think it is fiscally responsible to the taxpayers and to the overall goals of the district as a whole, helping us stay competitive over the next four to five years.”
Bock added that she hopes that the agreement helps the district attract the best teachers when hiring opens up in January.
“Our hope is that this change will allow the district to attract the cream of the crop,” she said. “The teachers are very excited to be starting the school year with a ratified contract.”