(Atlantic) Contract negotiations between the Atlantic Education Association and Employee’s Association and Atlantic School Board began Wednesday.
JoAnn Runyan, Chief Negotiator for the Education Association proposed two articles in the teacher’s initial asking. The first one dealt with salaries and benefits.
“We are requesting a three-percent base increase for 2018-2019,” stated Runyan. “That would include a step and lane increase and the TSS payment would remain the same.”
The current base salary is $35,049.00 and the increase would amount to $1,051.00. Additionally, the Education Association presented a comparative study of the current base salaries for the Hawkeye Ten Conference based on their Master Contracts. According to the 2017-2018 school year based on the Education Association’s study, Atlantic’s base salary of $35,049.00 ranks last in the Hawkeye Ten Conference, (which doesn’t include; St. Albert or Kuemper Catholic). In comparison Harlan ranks first at $43,813.00, followed by Denison, $41,584, and Lewis Central, $40,894.00.
“Our concern is where Atlantic lands in base salary which determines a hiring base,” stated Runyan. “If we are going to continue to remain competitive, one needs to take a look at that.”
Because of the varying salary step schedule increases, Atlantic School Board member Dr. Keith Swanson asked the Education Association representatives how the average salary of an Atlantic teacher compares to other average salaries in the Hawkeye Ten Conference?
“A number of years ago our teacher salaries were more comparable, but as we continue to decline in base salary it’s definitely going to have an effect on the rest of the salary schedule,” stated Runyan.
In regards to the Extra-Curricular Activity pay schedule: The teachers are proposing an increase in the number of Archery Club Sponsors/Coaches to two…each to be paid 2.42-percent or $1,046.00 based on the current contract. Additionally, the proposal includes Middle School Student Council from the current 2% to 5.5%. Middle School Yearbook increase from the current 0% to 2%. And the Head High School Cross Country Coach receive an increase of 8.32% or $3,616.00 to 10.19%.
Meanwhile, the district counterproposal included; freezing the salary schedule for 2018-2019 and proposed each full-time employee receives a $100.00 one-time payment. The counterproposal included deleting TSS calculation in the salary schedule and deleting the column referencing percentages tied to BA, step 6 (for each position).
Keep in mind this is a starting point for both parties and this is just the first of several negotiation meetings scheduled between the teachers and the non-certified staff and the school the district.
Andrea Halterman representing the Non-Certified staff stepped to table next proposing an overall .40-cents per hour increase to the base schedule and the transportation staff to be paid bi-weekly rather than monthly.Additionally, the proposal includes a $0.50 increase per hour for “wait time” pay. This would increase hourly wait time wage from $10.50 to $11.00.
The district countered with no changes to the salary schedule for 2018-2019. The district proposes each eligible employee moves a step on the salary schedule.
