Check out this Montgomery County schools settlement with the teachers......

From John Curry, March 26, 2011

It sorta' shoots a hole in STRS's projected payroll growth figures, doesn't it?

John

http://www.tcnewsnet.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=230&ArticleID=156025

Northmont employees agree to three-year pay freezes, increased insurance contributions

March 26, 2011
By Marilyn MConahay
For the Independent
mp.mcconahay@gmail.com

In a move that may surprise other school districts, the Northmont School Board ratified a three-year contract with the Northmont District Education Association (NDEA) and the Northmont Classified Employees Association (NCEA) following an executive session during a special meeting held March 17 at Union Elementary School. Northmont employees had voted two days prior to adopt a total freeze on steps and salary for all employees and to accept increases in hospitalization and insurance contributions.

Over a three-year period, insurance contributions will phase into an 85/15 ratio and as early as next year, co-pays will increase for all employees as well.

One reason the contact agreement was remarkable is that the district's teacher pay is ranked13th of 16 Montgomery County districts for lowest pay.

The average teacher salary for Northmont is listed as $55,838 on the Ohio Department of Education Web site.

"Starting pay for teachers at Northmont is $35,000," said NDEA President Nicole Bouas.

The NDEA, which represents about 370 teachers, had one year remaining on its contract and the NCEA had two years remaining.

"The NCEA represents 285 employees who are bus drivers, bus assistants, multi-media people, secretaries, education assistants, maintenance employees and mechanics, custodians and food service employees," said Lynn Boldman, president of the NCEA.

"As has been our heritage, the Northmont support staff and teachers have once again put the district, our students and colleagues in the forefront throughout the process to arrive at these contracts," said Superintendent Dr. Sarah Zatik.

"Once again the collaborative spirit enjoyed between the Northmont Board of Education, the administration, support staff and teachers has been demonstrated," said Board President Linda Blum.

"We all collaborate in the Northmont District," Bouas said. "We're odd this way, I know, but it has never been 'us against them.' "

"There is always some fear of a new superintendent. But, Dr. Zatik called me prior to her start date and set up a meeting during her first day or two of work and met with us to address our concerns," Bouas said. "That call eased my mind a lot. She took the time to understand our issues - she is very communicative."

"She and Linda Blum came to our meeting (last) Tuesday night before our vote when we made our proposal agreement. When we excused them, they received a standing ovation. That was very unusual," Bouas said.

Zatik said the district would have had to lay off the equivalent of 60 employees - teachers, administrators and staff.

"But with teachers stepping up to help with saving positions, that number will drop to around 45," Zatik said. 'With retirements and resignations, it could mean even fewer. Even though we're losing 45 positions, we may not have to lay off that many people."

"However, if the state adds any further cuts, we'll have to have even more reductions," Zatik added,

Zatik said that with the new contracts, the district is able to budget in at least three years, rather than two.

"I'm very pleased with this outcome. In only two days' time, they agreed," she said.

Linda Thomas of the NDEA, a math department chair at the high school, said some people may go ahead and retire now.

"People who were at the end of their careers were looking at retiring, but who would not have done so, indicate they now may do it to save jobs for the youngsters," Thomas said.

"Our administration believes collaboration is important enough to sit down with us. They trust us - which is why it took only two days to come to agreement," Bouas said.