Upper St. Clair school employees’ pact OK’d

School board approves tax hike

The Upper St. Clair School District and the union that represents its staff finalized a five-year contract Monday that gives employees a salary boost but also increases their health care payments.

The school board also adopted a $95 million budget with a 3.2% tax rate increase.

Board members unanimously approved the contract Monday evening with the district’s approximately 300 teachers, librarians, psychologists, counselors and nurses following its ratification by the union on Friday.

“The Upper St. Clair School District is proud to be the top performing school district in the state and believes this agreement recognizes the district’s exemplary professional staff while remaining fiscally responsible,” Superintendent John Rozzo said.

The contract will take effect Aug. 18 and last through June 30, 2027.

A beginning teacher will make $53,300 in the first year of the new agreement, and staff moving to the top salary step will receive a $3,000 raise in the first year of the deal. In the last year of the previous contract, a first -year teacher would make $51,900.

Union members will see their health care premium contributions increase progressively to 14% or 15% of the cost of the insurance by the end of the agreement.

“The new salary schedule keeps district salaries competitive with comparable school districts in Allegheny County,” Mr. Rozzo said.

The district said it remained focused on the goals of balancing the needs of students and its fiscal responsibility to taxpayers during its budget process.

The 2022-23 budget provides funds for several capital improvement projects, including HVAC repairs to the high school, as well as waterline and drainage repairs to the athletic stadium and Baker Field.

The 3.2% millage increase represents an additional $221.40 per year on a home assessed at $250,000.

“In addition to supporting all existing educational programs and activities, this budget protects the district’s short and long-term financial health,” said Scott Burchill, the district’s director of finance. “In particular, we continue to be intentional in our use of the district’s fund balance — limiting its use to funding onetime expenses rather than recurring costs.”