Saline Teachers to Vote on Giving $7.5 Million in Concessions

Saline Area Schools teachers are learning about details of a new contract  at Saline Middle School Wednesday afternoon.

The detail, which will need to be ratified by a vote, gives the school district $7.5 million in concssions over the next two years, according to Juan Lauchu, president of the Saline Education Association. The existing deal between the Saline Education Association and the school district expires June 30. The new deal is a two-year contract.

"By our calculations, we're giving back $7.5 million over the next two years. Are you giving back to the schools? Absolutely. Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't," Lauchu said to teachers in the audience at the union meeting. "You are the ones making the sacrifices."

Teachers are voting online by 4 p.m Wednesday. If passed, school board could ratify a contract at a special meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Board members and district officials have maintained a policy of silence on collective bargaining.

Tuesday night, the that would layoff 16-17 teachers. School officials said that details of the budgetc ould change based on collective bargaining. The board is scheduled to meet again during a special meeting at 5 p.m., where they could vote on the new contract.

Lauchu told teachers that he wouldn't have brought the contract to membership if it wasn't a good deal for students and teachers.

"If we don't pass this, the district may lay off 17 teachers," Lauchu said.

Among the other other concessions:

• Salaries will be rolled back to 2008-09 levels.

• Some stipends from the 2008-09 schedule will be reduced 10 percent for one year.

• Steps will be frozen in 2012-13.

• There is a one-year freeze on pay increases earned when a teacher earns a master's degree.

• A new 17-step salary schedule will be implemented, replacing the exisiting 10-step program.

• Extra class overages will be reduced by 25 percent. 

• In 2013-14, teachers will will receive the 2008-09 salary schedule, plus 1.25 percent.

• Coaches salaries will drop to 2008-09 levels, minus 10 percent.

• The SEA and distrit would reconvene in August to review changes made to pensions. If the district shoulders the cost, the SEA could give more concessions. If the SEA shoulders it all, the SEA would ask the district to give more.

• The district and SEA would agree to bargain an alternative school day schedule in 2013-14. The schedue could add 300 minutes more than the current contract allows.

• New pay schedules will take effect after Aug. 31.

• Saline teachers will participate in a MESSA-based health consortium.

Saline Patch will have more throughout the day.