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Washington teachers ink deal
The contract, which runs from the 2009-10 school year through the 2011-12 school year, has an overall salary increase of $1,850 in each year. It increases employee contributions to health care by 40 percent over the life of the contract. The school board approved the contract Wednesday, while the teachers union approved it Tuesday.
Washington has a tiered system, so teachers with more experience pay more for health insurance. Before the 40 percent increase, they were paying between $10 and $50 in monthly premiums, depending on their seniority.
Washington will become the first district in the county to implement Highmark's Lifestyle Returns program, which encourages employees to take an active role in wellness, according to a district news release. Employees who complete benchmarks in the program will receive $100.
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"I believe it was a reasonable contract for both sides," Superintendent Roberta DiLorenzo said Wednesday.
Representatives from both sides have said they wanted to prevent a repeat of what happened during the previous negotiations when teachers went on strike.
DiLorenzo said this negotiation process was amicable.
"I credit everyone involved," she said.
DiLorenzo said the final version of the contract should be publicly available by mid-December. Union representatives could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Teachers unions for Canon-McMillan, Charleroi Area, McGuffey, Southeastern Greene and West Greene are still negotiating new contracts.
Intermediate Unit 1, Greene County Career and Technology Center, Fort Cherry and Jefferson-Morgan teachers unions agreed to new contracts earlier this year.
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Related articles:
Washington School Board, teachers approve contract
Contract vote set for today
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Teacher's Contract : 11/26/2009
Does this mean that teachers paying $10 per month for insurance now have to pay $14. Doesn't seem like enough to cover a $5400 raise over 3 years. This is particularly galling considering that inflation has been less than zero.
teacher's contract : 11/26/2009
It would be helpful to see a salary range given in the story so that the reader could get an idea of how much teachers are actually earning. Usually such stories include information such as: "First-year teachers will now receive $XX,000 per year while teachers at the top pay level will receive $XX,000." Readers want to know how much of an increase $1,850 is in relation to their current salaries.
Pay Raise : 11/26/2009
When you do the math, the pay raise over the 3 yr period is over 11 thousand. Add to this that Wash & McGuffey wants the County to spend @ 8 million to reassess our property. Anyway you cut it, with the raises, reassessments, & low insurance copays, it is going to cost the taxpayer.
Deceiving : 11/27/2009
That is why the districts tell the paper the % instead of the actual amount , so that when the reader reads this article, they go WOW do they have to pay 40% more And in reality 40% on a small amount to begin with, is nothing. Why do your reporters fail to ask the actual figures? This is how the union and school districts want it reported because they figure that 99.9% of the taxpayers are not going to go and ask for a copy of the contracts that are public information.
Health Care : 11/27/2009
40% increase in health care???? What are they paying now for family coverage? 40 % in nothing when you are paying a really low amount to begin with. The school district and unions use their "psychology reporting" to the newspaper.
Washington SchoolBoard : 11/29/2009
The washington County Commissoners Better save you from public opionion if you're hair brained ideas get done the people of the city that you represent are going to be in grave financial trouble. Taxpayers you better be careful because these board menbers just gave the teachers a $3750.00 a year pay increase over the three years of the contract another fact that they don't want you to understand .
Teachers Contract : 11/29/2009
Everyone gets worried about a school district's teacher contract when in fact the problem is the inequality of the 500 or so school districts in Pennsylvania and the diminishing tax base of areas such as Washington. Washington has the hospital, college, churches and public buildings that pay no taxes while being a major benefit to the surrounding communities. The City of Washington needs a far tax base plan that is regionalized. Perhaps money that the County Commissioners get from The Meadows could help. This is the cause our readers need to take up rather than investigating the teachers who are doing an excellent job of educating our young people. We need to find a solution to the fundamental problem - fair taxation.
