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Public Relations > News: Contract Negotiations > June 5th Update
Contract Negotations Update - June 5th, 2008
This is an interesting year in the district because we have not one but three contracts with three different groups of employees to renegotiate. The teachers, the secretaries, and the aides all have contracts which expire in June.
When we began discussions with the various unions in January, the Board set as its objective the development of contracts which reflect our accountability to the teachers, students and especially the community of taxpayers who pay for the salaries and benefits. We are mindful of the general economic conditions and the fears many of our constituents have about their income security and health care costs. We think that contracts that are fair to all parties, contracts of accountability, will not exceed the experience of the taxpayers.
With that in mind, we hired a health care industry expert to advise us on the trends in health care costs, insurance program contents, and cost sharing trends. That work was completed a week ago. We then had the expert present those findings in summary to the union representatives and presented a proposal to modify our health care plan to be more in keeping with these trends.
The Negotiating Team believes it is critical to provide the union with this background information so that its members have a good feel for the rationale behind our proposal. To remain fiscally responsible, we must weigh our options carefully when it comes to escalating health care costs. We took the time to research this topic thoroughly because what we offer the teachers will be carried over into our negotiations with another union representing secretaries. Once again, our commitment to accountability will remain steadfast in these contracts as well.
As the school year comes to an end, you can count on us to continue the hard work necessary to arrive at fair contracts and to continue to provide the Summer programs that are normally provided. It is our hope that the unions will continue their commitment and remember that they, too, are accountable to the community we serve.
Bernard Currie, President
Board of School Directors
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