MV district, teachers must close 5 percent gap
March 11, 2010 · Jake Krob

Negotiations are under way between teachers and the Mount Vernon School District for next year, with about a five percent gap in their two proposals.

The Mount Vernon Education Association (MVEA), representing teachers, presented its proposal Jan. 26 and the district presented its proposal March 1. The MVEA's proposal would come with a total increase of 5 percent to the district; the school district proposals would result in zero percent. The MVEA proposal includes the pass through of what's known as TSS funding from the state, often referred to as teacher quality money. The status of that funding is currently uncertain for next year.

The MVEA proposes a base wage salary increase of $400, from $27,400 to $27,800. The district proposes no increase to the base, and a freeze on all vertical movement (movement in the salary schedule due to years of service that results in wage increases).

Also on the compensation side, the district proposes that its health insurance contribution remain the same - $527 per month per full-time equivalency. The district further proposes that an employee who elects not to take health insurance may choose to be paid cash, $200 a month. The MVEA proposes the school district's health insurance benefit increase from the current $527 a month to $588.

Currently, the school district also contributes $34 a month to retirees as a post-employment health benefit. The district proposes ending that. The MVEA proposes an increase in that amount, to $44.

Leave is also addressed. The school district proposes personal days be done without pay. Employees currently get two personal days, with pay, in addition to family leave, sick leave and professional development-related leave.

School superintendent Pam Ewell said the district and MVEA are "in the early stages" of negotiations. There are deadlines for reaching agreements, including the use of formal mediation or arbitration if there's no consensus by a particular time.

"The MVEA and its members have weathered difficult times in the past and we have often had a good relationship with the school district in dealing with difficult issues," said teacher Tom Wilkinson, speaking for the MVEA. "The MVEA is committed to developing long-term relationships in the community."