Teacher contracts settled quickly in Weber, Ogden
By Becky Wright, Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"This is the earliest, in my memory, that we've been able to settle with all three groups,"
At
"This year especially, there was an innovative collaborative approach to negotiation that was actually just, frankly an inspiring thing to be part of," he said.
"
Then it's just a matter of working out how much will be spent on raises, and how much on other benefits.
"The teachers will get their pay steps, and steps are based on years of experience," Ogle said. "They also will get lanes."
Lanes are pay increments based on education levels.
"So teachers are encouraged to keep getting more education," said Ogle.
There will also be a 1.25 percent cost of living increase, and the district will be able to put more money toward health insurance.
"The highest increase was about an
"But I'm a fine print reader -- I'll feel like I have more of an opinion when I actually see the details," she said.
"In
That method of negotiating was adopted after 2011, when contract negotiations between
"It really has been a success," Ogle said, noting that communication is more open and less confrontational.
This process can be slower, because the idea is to solve the root cause of problems using available resources. This year, one of the problems brought to negotiations was teacher retention.
"We wanted to address that, because we don't want to lose valuable teachers," said Ogle.
One of the root causes could be that
"Monetarily, that decreases the draw of other districts where they could make
Negotiations also resulted in a single-lane salary schedule.
"We don't have lanes anymore," Ogle said. "Instead, if you increase your education you would get additional steps."
In the past, step increases ranged from
"All starting salaries have increased for new teachers, and then it never tops out -- you advance every year," said Ogle. "You won't advance as fast to the current top point... but you go further, and lifetime earnings will be substantially higher."
Negotiations also tightened language regarding layoffs, giving those who lose jobs because of a reduction of positions first shot at other positions in the district. Stipends for department heads at junior high schools were also approved, similar to those for high school department heads.
The district will be offering three insurance plans, ranging from a base plan at no cost to employees, to a more expensive and traditional employee-paid plan.
One of the biggest changes is that this year negotiations produced a three-year contract. The agreement does cover possible raises during the three year period, based on increases in the weighted pupil unit -- any money left after retirement obligations are met will go to cost of living increases.
"With the three-year contract we've agreed to quarterly negotiating sessions on an ongoing basis, so that hopefully some of the concerns that we have can be addressed in a much closer to real-time basis," said Smith.
Ogle says both sides bargained in good faith.
"They laid it all out on table, and quite honestly we were able to achieve more than the association really anticipated going into the process," Ogle said.
"I like that OEA and the district worked hard for a common agreement, and both sides made concessions, and I think everyone's happy with what the end result is."
Venegas' first year of teaching was in
"I think this will alleviate the stress of year to year wondering what will happen," she said.
She's happy steps are back.
"This is the first time in several years that steps have not only been honored, but all of my years at the district will be recognized and I'll be paid accordingly," Venegas said.
"I'm very happy with the contract," he said. "I haven't had a raise since I got hired, because they held our steps ... so having this come back was nice."
He's also glad the district seems to be working on the teacher turnover issue.
"I've heard they're trying to become one of the higher-paid districts so we can attract quality teachers. If that's the truth, I'm happy with that," he said.
Contracts were also ratified in both districts for classified employees and administrators.
Contact reporter
___
(c)2014 the Standard-Examiner (Ogden, Utah)
Visit the Standard-Examiner (Ogden, Utah) at www.standard.net
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 1063 |
Class D West Baseball Semifinal: Buckfield blanks Searsport with Williams’ gem
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News