Teachers forgo contractual, financial increases and make way for school year extension
Bend-La Pine Schools’ licensed employee group voted to approve a contract that includes no cost of living increases and delays salary ‘step’ increases in a calculated effort to add-back three contract days, which includes two instructional days, to the 2012-13 school year.
Superintendent Ron Wilkinson said that the selflessness of Bend-La Pine Schools teachers and other licensed employees’ shows a deep commitment to the work that they are doing to educate students and to minimize the impact of the state education funding shortage on student learning locally.
“I am impressed and humbled by the willingness of our employees to once again find ways to make sacrifices during this difficult economic time for our community,” said Wilkinson.
He stated that the more than 800-member Bend Education Association agreed to approximately $1 million in concessions. The concessions include:
- A delay for all ‘step’ increases for additional experience,
- Reduced professional development and tuition reimbursement,
- Acceptance of three furlough days,
- Sharing costs between employees and the district to cover insurance premiums increases.
“We are satisfied that this agreement is the best that could be achieved on many levels for many parties; educators, students and the District,” said Bend Education Association President Mark Molner.
Molner notes that Oregon sets high standards for education, but often fails to fund education in a way that helps schools to meet those goals. “This reminds us once again that adequate and stable educational funding should be the foremost goal of Oregonians and their elected officials in the months and years to come,” he said.
The District hopes to finalize employment agreements with administrators and confidential employees soon. Contract negotiations between the district and classified employees is underway.
www.bend.k12.or.us.
