After two weeks without a contract, teachers and administrators reached a tentative agreement.
The proposed contract provides a half-step pay increase for teachers on steps 1-15, excluding this year’s hires; $200 off-scale, one-time payment to teachers on steps 1-15 except new hires; and a one percent on-scale payment to teachers at step 16.
“I think it’s fair for both sides,” said Brooke Davis, Clarkston Education Association president. “I don’t think either side is really happy with it, which means it’s something decent. We’re hoping it’s the beginning of better dialogue between the school board and teachers. It’s a start.”
The proposal allows the district to build its fund balance to 5.7 percent by the end of this year, which is above Board of Education’s parameter of 5 percent, said Superintendent Dr. Rod Rock.
“I am exceedingly pleased with our collaborative processes,” Rock said. “We could not realize this positive financial picture without the cooperation of our employees.”
“It’s sustainable, and won’t bankrupt the district,” Davis said.
According to the 2013-2014 Master Agreement between Clarkston Community Schools and Clarkston Education Association, salaries range from $38,087 for a teacher at Step 1 with a bachelor’s degree to $89,096 at Step 15 with a PhD. A half step increase would equal about a 2-3 percent raise, depending on length of service. It would increase the range to $39,357-$90,634. For Step 16, salaries range from $76,174 for a teacher with a BA to $92,171, with PhD.
The contract would also standardize Subject Area Coordinator (SAC) stipends, which means non-core SAC’s will receive same stipends as core SAC’s, Davis said.
“They all do the same thing and it’s more of a clarity issue than anything else,” he said.
Teachers? insurance was negotiated and passed last May, and includes a 10 percent increase in the district’s budget for this year.’This is the same provision other union groups in the district negotiated last May, Davis said.
Salary, insurance, retirement and other personnel costs equals about 85 percent of the school district’s budget.
About 200 Clarkston teachers carried signs calling for community support outside the school administration building before the Sept. 8 school board meeting, and filled the room during the assembly.
“I’m totally inspired here tonight at the sea of orange I see,” Davis said during public comment at the meeting. “Let’s all get on the same page, and work together to continue to make Clarkston a world class education its always been.”
The school board is expected to vote on the contract at its next meeting, Monday, Sept. 22. Teachers are expected to vote on it this week.