Dec.
4, 2018
As
you are aware, the Geneva Education Association (GEA), the union that
represents our 450 teachers, walked out of negotiations around 1:30 a.m.
Tuesday morning and called for a strike.
District 304 schools are closed today, Tuesday, December 4, as the Board awaits the union’s response to its most recent proposal, which was delivered to the GEA at last night’s negotiating session. It provides
more than $5.5 million or a 17.69% increase, in new money for teacher
compensation over the life of the proposed four-year contract.
This proposal reflects the Board’s willingness to compromise and use a model adopted by the Board and the GEA under the direction of the mediator. Teachers will also earn additional compensation based on their educational attainment.
This
model provides all teachers both a percentage salary increase and an additional
dollar increase. It provides certainty around teacher compensation, ensuring
that the District, its teachers and the taxpayers that fund our schools can
anticipate and plan in a realistic and sustainable manner based on clearly
outlined salary increases for the duration of the contract. Other
nontraditional compensation models are currently being used in a number of
teacher contracts throughout the Collar Counties.
Specifically, during each of year of the proposed four-year contract, the Board’s most recent proposal would provide each teacher with salary increases in the following ranges:
- 2018-19: 3.5-6.3%
($2,549-$3,481)
- 2019-20: 3.4-5.8%
($2,480-$3,395)
- 2020-21: 3.3-5.4%
($2,409-$3,308)
- 2021-22: 2.7-4.6%
($2,129-$2,765)
The
Board of Education is grateful for the many calls and emails calling on both
parties to resolve their differences and to put the needs of our students
first.
At
this time, no additional negotiation sessions have been scheduled. We will
continue to provide daily email updates on the status of our negotiations and
thank you for your ongoing support of District 304 schools and students.
PLEASE
CLICK HERE to read the Dec. 4 Board of Education Settlement Package Proposal
Sincerely,
Geneva CUSD 304 Board of Education