School Board and Education Association Agree on Contract Extension

The West Chester Area School Board and the West Chester Area Education Association have reached agreement on a two-year extension to the current four-year teachers’ contract, taking the contract through to June 30, 2009.

The contract would otherwise have expired on June 30, 2007.

"This agreement represents a collaborative effort on the part of the Administration, the Board, and the Association. I am pleased that we were able to reach a mutually acceptable outcome,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan G. Elko stated.

The contract extension sets salaries and makes changes in employee contributions to the benefits plan for 2007-08 and 2008-09. Also, it impacts the current teacher work year and calls for the formation of a committee to study supplemental pay. Other provisions of the contract as originally negotiated remain unchanged.

Specifically:

• With the extension, the average annual salary increase over the six-year contract beginning July 1, 2003 and ending on June 30, 2009 will be 3.89%. The salary increase for each year of the extension is 4.025%. That figure includes cost-of-living adjustments and increases created by moving up “steps” in the salary scale due to additional years of service or graduate credits.
• The contribution to the major medical plan by professional employees with over three years in the district will increase by increments from the current rate of 6% to 10% by June 30, 2009.
• Employees with up to three years in the district will continue to contribute a larger amount to their benefits coverage through Dec. 31, 2008. Thereafter, they will contribute 10% to the major medical plan.
• A committee chaired by the Administration and comprised of representatives from the Association, the Administration, and the Board will study and recommend changes to the current pay structure for supplemental contracts.
• The work year for teachers will be 192 days in 2008-09 with additional time being dedicated to professional development.

Dr. Elko stated in conclusion, “A contract extension is very beneficial at this time. Had the contract not been extended now, negotiations would have begun at the very time our school district was going through the significant changes associated with the opening of our new high school. This extension allows our School Board, administration, and staff to focus our energies on a smooth transition to three high schools and on educating all of our students.”

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