Board ratifies contracts

Teacher, food service, administrator groups reach settlements

NEW ULM -- The District 88 Board of Education Thursday ratified new two-year contracts with teachers, food service staff and non-unionized supervisory staff.

The agreements cover the current and next school year.

The settlement with teachers, approved by 90-plus percent of union members last week, calls for across-the-board salary increases of 2 percent a year.

It puts a dollar cap on employer contributions to health insurance for teachers and their families, which may -- but will not necessarily -- force employees to pick up part of a potentially rising tab. The cost of health insurance has traditionally been fully paid by the district.

The agreement also changes age discrimination language, clarifies ambiguities and removes obsolete statements. While clarifying existing clauses, it includes "very few" new provisions, according to negotiators.

The agreement with food service employees calls for 30 cents an hour across-the-board raises a year.

It makes benefits available to part-time employees on a pro-rated basis, depending on hours worked.

The contract provides for a modest increase in the district's health insurance contribution.

In turn, the agreement with supervisory non-unionized employees (such as the district's curriculum, technology and facilities directors and other administrators) provides for 2.25 percent salary increases a year, a number mirroring an accord reached with principals last December.

The contract also takes a step away from the concept of district-paid health insurance, with a provision that has employees shouldering 5 percent of the burden.

It provides for "comparative worth" adjustments in line with state requirements -- which translates into additional raises for two employees.

"The agreements are fair and reasonable to both employer and employee," said district negotiator and school board member Brian Wieland.

Wieland stressed in prepared remarks that while the negotiation process was "lengthy", the outcome justifies the time spent.

It meets the district's goal of affordabilty while "reflecting the ability to retain and recruit quality staff", Wieland said.

"We express appreciation of each employee group for the professional manner in which the negotiation process was conducted. ... In the end, agreement was reached on some items, compromise on other items and some items were simply withdrawn from further consideration," Wieland said.

In turn, Virg Debban, chief negotiator for the teachers, praised the final result.

Debban said that while the settlement is a product of a give-and-take process that necessitated some compromise, it is also "fair" and reflects "this school board's professional treatment of teachers" and its concern for the interests of students.

According to negotiators, agreements with clerical and custodial employees will be ready for ratification at the next board meeting March 14.

Settlements with paraprofessionals and remaining supervisory employees are also pending.