Rochester Community Schools and the Rochester Education Association (REA) have reached a contract settlement on a six year contract for the period of August 16, 2013 through June 30, 2019. The contract was ratified by REA members on May 6, 2014 and was approved at the Board of Education meeting on May 12, 2014.
All teachers will receive a $425 one-time (pro-rated for part-time), off-schedule payment. Effective with the 2014-15 school year, all teachers will be moved to a new salary schedule, which contains 21 steps (Steps 0-20). Teachers will be placed on the salary step that contains an amount that is closest but no less than their 2013-14 salary. Thereafter, eligible teachers will advance one step on the salary schedule in each of the remaining years of the contract.
Beginning with the 2014-15 school year, there will be an increase of four instructional days for elementary and two instructional days for secondary. Teacher work days will increase by 3.5 days and professional development hours will increase to 42 hours for elementary and secondary, none of which is counted toward instructional time.
Effective July 1, 2014, all teachers who wish to continue district provided benefits will move to a Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plan with a health reimbursement account. Teachers will continue to pay 20% of the cost of these benefits.
The agreement contains a calendar for the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years. The remaining two years will be finalized in 2016. Calendars will be emailed to parents and staff members and will be posted on the district website.
“Both negotiating teams worked tirelessly to be productive and creative during their meetings,” said Debra Hartman, district spokesperson. “They believe that the new contract agreement will enable the district to continue to provide a quality education for every child who attends Rochester Community Schools and to honor the hard work and dedication of the REA members, while establishing a sustainability model of fiscal responsibility and stability.”
The information in the preceding press release was provided by Rochester Community Schools