As we have been telling you, Hutchinson NEA and USD 308 have reached a new bargaining agreement that will provide a step increase in pay for all eligible teachers. Teachers voted on the agreement Friday and according to district officials, approved it late Friday afternoon.
That means that the Hutchinson School Board will most likely amend their agenda to add an executive session to discuss negotiations with NEA-Hutchinson.
Then would come possible action by the board on the agreement in open session after the executive session. The board has their regular meeting scheduled for Monday evening.
The successful negotiation was largely due to an increase in the district’s enrollment. USD 308’s increase in enrollment puts the district in the position where a step would be granted if enrollment increased by more than 75 weighted full-time-equivalent students.
If the board approves the agreement, the increases will be retroactive to the beginning of the contract and back pay would likely be paid on the January 15 check.
District Officials noted that the fact-finding process recognized, among other things, the critical funding pressures of the district, the need for the teachers and administration to discuss compensation sooner in the negotiations process and the need for the bargaining unit members to engage more in the budgeting process with the district.
The report also noted there was not unreasonable pay disparity for ours staff and that of comparable district, but that there is an obligation for the anticipated progression of salaries created by the salary schedule.
The report also noted there was not an unreasonable pay disparity for our staff and that of comparable districts, but that there is an obligation for the anticipated progression of salaries created by the salary schedule.
These key points are already in alignment with conversations that had been taking place among the district’s leadership. Prior to fact-finding, administration and the Board had established that beginning this year as we plan budgets for 2014-15 and beyond, budget planning should include at least one budget option that will allow the district to fund, at minimum, horizontal and vertical movement on the schedule, along with similar salary enhancements for staff who are not a part of the bargaining unit.
This means staff and community members who participate in the process will need to provide input to create a balanced budget under such a scenario, which will be challenging during years when additional revenue is not anticipated. However, this will always put such a budget on the table for our board’s consideration.
They will be looking for interested staff members to participate in the budget committee process beginning in January.