My God, this is worse than the old board....Don't you people read newspapers? We are in a very deep recession. Totally unacceptable. You know, it might be a different story if this school district had some "stellar teachers", but all I ever see is a failing system. Now we reward them with 12% over 3 years with full dental and vision insurance! All for a 9 month part-time job. And spare me the teachers union rep. I have even lower respect for the unions.
Answer one question: Where is the money coming from? The Times wrote:
D.157 extends vision, dental care
BY JOAN CARREON
Times Correspondent | Friday, February 13, 2009
CALUMET CITY | For the first time in school history, a new, three-year contract for Hoover Schrum Elementary District 157 teachers, paraprofessionals and secretaries will offer dental and vision benefits to members of all three employee groups.
One day after it was unanimously ratified by the union's rank and file, the landmark agreement won approval from the School Board on Tuesday. Board President Natalie Barnes and Vice President Kelsy Cowley did not attend; and member Kenneth Taylor was not present for the contract vote.
"I'm very pleased," said union President Susan Henke. "It shows the School Board and union are working together and philosophically share the same goals,"
The deal provides union members with pay raises of 4 percent in each of the three years, the option of taking part in dental and optical plans beginning July 1, a wellness plan reimbursement of up to $100 this year, pay for teachers who may substitute for other teachers, and teacher stipends for new offerings at Hoover Elementary School such as intramurals, choir and a male mentoring program.
It also includes evaluation procedural guidelines for employees - something which previously was only in the district's administrative manual.
Henke, who also teaches at Schrum Memorial School, said having such information in the contract gives more "structure and meaning" to employee evaluations.
The pact is retroactive to July 1 and continues through June 30, 2011. It covers 64 full-time teachers, 18 paraprofessionals and six secretaries. Two part-time, Title I nonunion teachers also will receive salaries and benefits under the plan, Henke said.
Because this was the first time the employee groups bargained together, negotiators were responsible for blending the contracts for all three units.
"It provides us with the parameters to effectively do our jobs and protect everyone's interests," said Michele Morris, District 157 superintendent.
Under the pact, the annual base salary for a beginning teacher with a bachelor's degree and no previous experience will go to $34,451 this year, $35,485 next year, and $36,550 in the final year. A teacher with a master's degree and 30 years of experience will receive $73,342 this year, $74,590 in 2009-10, and $75,815 in 2010-2011.