Teachers in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District won’t have to concern themselves with a new contract for another four years.
U-CF school board directors on Sept. 8 voted 8-1 to accept a fact-finding report that gives the teachers an average 2.8 percent pay raise each year for the next four years. The union had already accepted the report, and with the board also accepting it, the recommendations become the contract.
The only board member voting against the report was Keith Knauss, who said during a pre-vote presentation that the recommendations were excessive and unnecessary. He said he would have preferred a two-year contract with increases more in line with the state’s Act I limits.
According to a district handout, the total compensation package — which includes benefits as well as salaries — comes to more than $34.9 million during the 2015-2016 school year. That’s up 3.88 percent from last year.
By 2018-2019, total compensation will increase to $37.55 million. The average increase during the length of the agreement is 2.79 percent.
Director Robert Sage said the contract might raise taxes a bit higher than necessary, but that it is affordable and give teachers a sense of relief, which would translate to a better atmosphere in the schools.
Fellow Director Kathy Do called the report “thorough, balanced and measured” and that the recommendation made for a “fair and equitable agreement.”
Steve Simonson also said the report represented is a “reasoned approach” that does not put the district in an unreasonable position with taxpayers.
In an emailed statement after the meeting, School Board President Vic Dupuis said, “We feel this contract is positive and fair to both teachers and taxpayers, and takes into consideration the continued economic pressures facing the school district as well as recognizes the hard work of our teachers. It allows us to continue our focus on high academic achievement.”
The report from fact-finder Timothy J. Brown covered 17 areas of interest, including medical insurance, demotions, tuition reimbursement, vacancies and work-year and workday hours in addition to salaries.
Dupuis addressed those other areas in the press release:
“The agreement includes several measures that will help the district control escalating healthcare costs and provide stability in future budgeting. A new base healthcare plan, the IBC 10208050 will provide good benefits at reasonable costs. This agreement also includes a progressive Tobacco Surcharge – where those who use tobacco products will be required to pay a surcharge of $100 per month if not in a tobacco cessation program. The new agreement also includes the elimination of the “Cadillac Plan” – PC 102070 – this is significant, as the district takes steps to eliminate the effects of the Affordable Care Act’s Excise Tax by 2018.”
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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