Story posted Friday, June 19, 2009
Dist. 23 Extends Teachers Contract Through 2010-11
By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor
Homeowners in Prospect Hts. Elementary School Dist. 23 will not see an increase in their property tax bills for the 2010-11 school year thanks to a recent decision to extend a current teachers contract one more year from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.
However, taxpayers will still be on the hook to pay yearly salary hikes for approximately 159 teachers, not including non-union employees and administrators.
"Taxpayers will not be affected because we (Dist. 23) are already capped by state legislation at .1%," said Business Manager Rick Ewanio. "So they should receive no change in taxes because we don't have the capability of increasing taxes due to legislation. Our Consumer Price Index (CPI) is capped at that .1%."
Under the contract extension, the salary schedule for teachers and wage schedules for Educational Support Professionals (ESP) for 2009-10 will remain the same for 2010-11.
"The current economy is not in the best shape, so after much discussion, it was decided there will be no salary hike that extra year---besides the step increase, which equates to a 1%-2.3% hike for 2010-11."
In regards to the step increase, Ewanio explained that each teacher, based on their initial signed contract and educational background, will still receive a salary increase of 1%-2.3% each year, but no additional district-wide increase. Each year, the district budgets a certain amount to afford salary increases for its employees.
Ewanio said it is up to the school board to decide what type of increase, if any, non-union employees and administrators will receive. Those individuals work year-to-year. The board must make a decision no later than July 15 since the new fiscal year begins July 1, Ewanio said.
"This collaborative effort between the board and the union is a win-win situation for the district and the community," said Dist. 23 Supt. Dr. Greg Guarrine, "In these uncertain economic times, both parties understood the necessity for prudent action and were able to come together in the spirit of cooperation."
According to Ewanio, the reason for this contract extension is because negotiations for a new contract would have had to begin next February and due to uncertain economic times, the union asked the board and staff to discuss adding an additional year to the current contract.
In regards to insurance (hospital, prescription, dental, and vision), the board next school year will contribute $9,657 for each full-time employee. That contribution will remain the same for 2010-11.
According to Ewanio, negotiations for a new contract are expected to begin in February 2011.
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