North Penn OKs extended contract
After negotiations that North Penn Education Association (NPEA) President Sean Devlin characterized as “collaborative,” the North Penn School District and the NPEA agreed to extend the current contract through June 2017. The NPSD Board of School Directors approved the contract extension with the teachers union at an action meeting Thursday night. The NPEA approved the contract the previous week on Thursday, April 14. The contract had been set to expire June 30.
“Several months ago, administration, the school board and NPEA set out to develop an
agreement that maintained NPSD’s quality education, fairly compensated teachers and included a partnership with the union in ensuring the future financial health of NPSD,” said Superintendent Dr. Curtis R. Dietrich. “I am extremely pleased to say that together we achieved all of this.”
There are more than 975 employees who are represented by NPEA including classroom teachers, special area teachers, speech clinicians, school nurses and special education teachers. The one-year agreement provides for an average salary increase of 0.5% effective the beginning of the school year for all members of the bargaining unit. At mid-year, those members with less than 16 years of service will advance a step on the 16-step salary schedule that represents an additional 1.9 percent increase.
Salary schedules for each school year are represented in a table with rows and columns. The horizontal rows are steps that represent years of service. The vertical columns represent an employee’s educational degree. As employees progress through the schedule, their salary increases with both column and step movement. Next year, those at the maximum step in the NPEA contract will see a $400 increase to their salary but no step movement since there are no additional steps to move into.
The contract calls for no changes to the school district’s core health care plan. As NPSD continues to balance cost containment of health care expenses with providing quality benefits, the contract does call for the formation of a health care exploratory committee. Comprised of NPEA members and district administration, the committee will explore cost savings strategies and third-party health care administration options.
Devlin said it was decided to split the usual economic angle — salary and benefits — during negotiations. “Some things are going on in the state financially” — citing the lengthy budget impasse and the PSERS funding crisis — and [we decided] this year isn’t the time to tackle financial angle.” Instead they “looked to keep health care same or better for employees.”
“I thank NPEA and its willingness to work collaboratively to find health care options that are both affordable and provide the high quality of care that our employees deserve,” said Dietrich. “Similar to other school districts and businesses, we need to examine all possible options in the continually evolving and complex field of health care. The spirit of cooperation among all parties has been very evident throughout this process and with that spirit I am confident we can find solutions.”
No other major changes were made to the contract.
“The contract extension approved tonight is a great example of the commitment that both the school board and union have to work together,” added Timothy Kerr, Chairperson of the Board Negotiations Committee. “Together we have developed an agreement that is both reasonable and responsible for everyone involved, including taxpayers.”
Devlin agreed. “It took collaboration, openness and looking at bargaining through a different lens to come to an agreement before the end of the contract. I believe that ultimately working together is what is best for this school district and its students.”