New Belle Vernon Area School District teachers' contract ratified

Sept. 22--After more than a year of contentious talks in the Belle Vernon Area School District, a new five-year teachers' contract was approved Monday night.

But while the Belle Vernon Area Education Association overwhelmingly ratified the contract, the vote divided the school board -- both during a special meeting Monday night and behind closed doors just prior to the session.

The board approved the deal by a 6-2 vote with director Joe Grata abstaining. His abstention apparently set off some fireworks during the board's executive session, just prior to coming out for the meeting. The board did not want Grata to publicly state why he was abstaining, Director Kimberly Ringstad Gray said after the meeting.

During the closed-door session, board President Aaron Bialon could be heard screaming -- at one point saying, "Why don't you just go home, Joe?"

During the meeting, Grata said he was abstaining to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest because he has one sister who is a teacher and another who is a retired instructor. He did not identify them by name.

Grata said the board rejected his request to be part of the negotiating process.

"I am generally in favor of the contract, considering the circumstances and starting point," Grata explained after the meeting. "If I were going to vote ... it's a fair contract."

Bialon shook his head when Grata explained his abstention.

Directors Ed Naylor and Ron Sotta voted against the contract.

"I think they're compensated well enough," Naylor said. "And I'd like to know what it's going to cost us in the end."

Sotta added, "There are some things I don't agree with (in the contract)."

The contract was hammered out during a late night negotiating session Aug. 24-25 -- on the eve of a planned teachers' strike.

BVAEA President Matthew Horzempa declined to discuss specifics of the contract.

Wilkinson said teachers will continue to receive salary step raises, but won't get percentage increases in addition.

Those who reach the top step of the salary scale will receive on average a $1,200-per-year salary hike, Wilkinson said.

Teachers can choose between two health insurance plans. The former pact provided the union with a PPO-E plan, which Wilkinson called a top-of-the-line benefits package. The teachers paid $1,197 a year in premiums, and teachers who opt to stay with that plan will now pay $1,625 a year.

They can also opt for a slightly less comprehensive plan.

Under the old contract, teachers received an $8,000 allowance when they retired, regardless of years of service. Under the new agreement, that allowance is $8,000 for those with 34 or fewer years, $7,000 for those with 35 years, $3,000 for those who taught for 37 years and no allowance thereafter.

The union voted on the pact during a Monday afternoon meeting. "It passed with plenty of room," said Horzempa, adding that the final vote total will be released later.

Horzempa said union leadership was proactive, holding two sessions in which the rank and file could learn the details and have concerns addressed.

The contract is retroactive to the beginning of the 2014-15 school year and runs through the 2018-19 year.

"It was a long and arduous process in negotiations," said district Superintendent Dr. John Wilkinson. "Neither side is 100 percent satisfied. But that's the essence of negotiations. The board is comfortable that this provides the ability over the next four years to provide our students with the best possible education."

Chris Buckley is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at cbuckley@tribweb.com or 724-684-2642.

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