Raises in administrator contracts also changed
The Bethlehem Central School District has renegotiated the contract with its principals union to cut the current annual salary rate increase in half.
The new two-year contract, which will go into effect July 1, calls for a 2.5 percent annual salary increase for principals, down from 5 percent. Along with other changes, the new contract with the 14-member unit is expected to save the district approximately $30,000 in the coming year.
The contract reflects an acknowledgement on the part of the district and the Bethlehem Principals Association of the economic difficulties facing BC and the community as a whole, said Superintendent Michael Tebbano.
It’s a good contract, he said. `It’s a signal to the community of our desire to get salary increases under control from what they used to be.`
Both Tebbano and Dorothy McDonald, president of the BPA and Clarksville Elementary principal, said the negotiations were civil and constructive.
`We felt that the negotiations were fair, that they were very respectful,` McDonald said. `We think that it is a contract that is fair to our members and to the district.`
The contract also includes a retirement incentive. BPA members who retire in their first year of eligibility would receive $7,500, and those retiring in their second year of eligibility would receive $6,000.
McDonald declined to say if any of her union’s members would be taking advantage of the incentive, but said it was nice to have the option available.
In addition, doctor’s office visit co-pays will be increased from $15 to $25 and the annual $750 stipend awarded to principals for professional development will be eliminated, but a one-time $500 payment will be included in principals’ 2010-11 salary.
The district last year renegotiated its contract with the BC Teachers Association to include deferrals and reductions of cost of living increases that officials estimated would save the district $600,000. Tebbano said while the agreement with the BPA will not have as large of a fiscal impact given the size of the union, it shows the community the district is working to contain costs.
`The work our Board of Education has done to try to get salaries under control for our teachers and principals has been admirable,` he said.
He added administrator and teacher salaries at BC are in line with other schools in the suburban council.
`I think it’s advantageous to have a work force that enjoys being in our school community,` Tebbano said. `If we’re going to have the best and most talented people, we have to offer a premium salary range.`
The BPA contract will be revisited in two years, less than the four-year contract that is expiring.
`I think that it makes sense to think about a two-year contract at this time,` given the economic conditions, McDonald said. `There is a lot of uncertainty, and none of us has a crystal ball.`
The district has also reached a consensus with top administrators, who have individual contracts with BC.
Contracts next year with Assistant Superintendent Jody Monroe, Chief Business and Financial Officer Judith Kehoe and Pupil Personnel Services Director Rita Levay will call for 1 percent salary increases, and also the eliminations of a $750 annual stipend. Their contracts have ranged from having 3 to 4 percent salary increases.
Tebbano’s contract will not include a salary increase.
The Board of Education is expected to adopt these contracts at its Wednesday, Feb. 24, meeting. They will be posted on the district’s Web site once they are approved.
Also at that meeting, administrators will present the 2010-11 school year budget to the board. Officials have already been examining the budget for weeks, and if Gov. David Paterson’s state budget holds true BC will be facing a $2.3 million shortfall in state aid. Adding in inflation and other factors, the board will be faced with having to close a significant gap.
Officials have said all options are on the table for next year’s budget, including programming reductions and layoffs.
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