Post by warriorpride on Mar 20, 2009 20:59:45 GMT -5
The Indian Prairie Educational Association's members (IPEA) voted on March 20, 2009 to approve a one-year agreement that calls for a 2 percent increase on base salaries for teachers for the 2009-10 school year. The base increase is in addition to the yearly "step" increase teachers normally receive for additional training or education. When combined with the "step" increase, teachers will receive a 3.87 percent increase.
Superintendent Stephen Daeschner said both parties agreed to a short-term contract because of the state of the current economy. "Everyone at the bargaining table agreed on a one-year contract so we could address the volatility of the economy and the drop in the CPI that will occur after next year," Daeschner said. The district's revenues are capped at the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which for the next fiscal year is 4.1 percent and for 2010 it drops to 0.1 percent.
Daeschner said the agreement strikes the balance of being fiscally responsible and allowing Indian Prairie to remain competitive with its benchmark districts. "Our four benchmark districts are providing a range of 3.8 percent to 4.2 percent increases in teachers' salaries for next year. Staying competitive to retain our quality teachers is critical to our children's success," Daeschner said.
Val Dranias, IPEA president, said "This contract meets the shared interests of the District and its staff. The one-year term allows us to be fiscally responsible and gives us the ability to wait and to have a better understanding of the economic climate. We were also able to improve training for teachers to address new initiatives and improve student achievement."
As part of the agreement, teachers will be required to participate in a weekly staff training session focused on school improvement. Elementary teachers will have 75 minutes and middle and high school teachers will have 50 minutes before school each Wednesday. During this time, teachers will work on increasing student performance through improved instruction. Start times on Wednesday will be adjusted slightly to accommodate the block of time.
Indian Prairie has 2,155 certified staff members in 31 schools. Under their current contract, teachers received a 3.9 percent increase for the 2008-09 school year.
The Board of Education is expected to vote on the contract at its April 13 meeting.
Superintendent Stephen Daeschner said both parties agreed to a short-term contract because of the state of the current economy. "Everyone at the bargaining table agreed on a one-year contract so we could address the volatility of the economy and the drop in the CPI that will occur after next year," Daeschner said. The district's revenues are capped at the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which for the next fiscal year is 4.1 percent and for 2010 it drops to 0.1 percent.
Daeschner said the agreement strikes the balance of being fiscally responsible and allowing Indian Prairie to remain competitive with its benchmark districts. "Our four benchmark districts are providing a range of 3.8 percent to 4.2 percent increases in teachers' salaries for next year. Staying competitive to retain our quality teachers is critical to our children's success," Daeschner said.
Val Dranias, IPEA president, said "This contract meets the shared interests of the District and its staff. The one-year term allows us to be fiscally responsible and gives us the ability to wait and to have a better understanding of the economic climate. We were also able to improve training for teachers to address new initiatives and improve student achievement."
As part of the agreement, teachers will be required to participate in a weekly staff training session focused on school improvement. Elementary teachers will have 75 minutes and middle and high school teachers will have 50 minutes before school each Wednesday. During this time, teachers will work on increasing student performance through improved instruction. Start times on Wednesday will be adjusted slightly to accommodate the block of time.
Indian Prairie has 2,155 certified staff members in 31 schools. Under their current contract, teachers received a 3.9 percent increase for the 2008-09 school year.
The Board of Education is expected to vote on the contract at its April 13 meeting.