Sides must settle for 2012-13 before addressing next school year
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff Writer
The Burlington Area School District and the Burlington Education Association officially exchanged opening wage offers for the 2012-13 contract period on March 18.
The group then went into closed session to negotiate.
The two groups are trying to iron out the details for the current school year, which ends June 30.
BASD Superintendent Peter Smet said the first priority would be negotiating this process, and only then, would they start the process for the 2013-14 school year.
“We’re working on this year,” Smet said.
In simplest terms, the school district is proposing a 1 percent base wage increase, while the BEA is proposing eliminating half steps on the salary grid, payment increase on the 2011-12 schedule structure for experience and additional training, and a 2 percent wage scale increase.
The BEA proposal also includes its “Reservation of Rights” clause regarding anything that can be bargained.
In terms of indirect compensation, the BEA is asking to shift the 12-month insurance coverage period, change the flexible spending plan year, remove the Health Savings Account monthly fee instituted this month and provide a waiver of premium for health insurance after 60 calendar days for employees who do not have sick or other compensated leave.
After the state’s passage of Act 10 in 2011, wages remain the only issue teachers and other public employees are allowed to negotiate.
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