“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>St. Louis “font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Public School District “font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>employees are getting a raise for the first time in three years.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>On Tuesday, the district’s Special Administrative Board voted to approve a three-year agreement with the teachers’ union, AFT Local 420, which provides a 2 percent pay increase for district teachers and staff for the 2011/12 school year.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>The contract goes into effect immediately and covers the period of July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2014. This is the first pay raise for district employees since the 2008/09 school year. The policy also allows for opportunities to negotiate additional salary increases for the following two school years.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“This agreement is a reality thanks to the partnership between the district and Local 420,” said Superintendent Kelvin Adams.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>In addition to the salary increase, the new policy provides the continuation of current health benefits and does not include furlough days. District employees have taken seven total unpaid furlough days over the past two school years, which saved the district $3 million last year. As part of the agreement, employees will not be asked to take furloughs, or days off without pay.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“In recent years, we’ve made progress towards reaching accreditation through improved academic achievement while also balancing the budget and strengthening the district’s financial position,” Adams said. “This has been accomplished thanks to the sacrifices made by all staff and done to improve the quality of education provided to our young people.”Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Patrick Wallace, district spokesperson, said despite the increased costs in salaries, the district will still balance its $276.5 million budget.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>The salary increases for the district’s 3,200 employees will cost the district $3.3 million. And providing health insurance – at no cost to the employees – will cost $2.5 million.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>AFT St. Louis, Local 420, AFL-CIO President Mary J. Armstrong said, “In my opinion, this contract represents a financially sound and prudent approach. Our vote confirms that our efforts are the shared priorities of our members.” Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Armstrong stated that 92 percent of the certificated staff and 100 percent of the paraprofessional and secretary/clerical chapters voted in favor of the agreement. “font-family: Verdana; line-height: 13px;”>Â
