School Board Ratifies New Neshaminy Teachers’ Contract

After five years operating without a new contract, the Neshaminy School Board unanimously voted to ratify a contract agreement with the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers.

The vote was held after a special board meeting, June 13, in which board president Ritche Webb provided highlights about the new contract in a Power Point presentation.

“I call it a new beginning,” Webb said. “How many times have we all said, ‘I wish I had the opportunity to start all over again?’ I think Neshaminy has that ability.”

The contract is valid from July 1, 2008 to July 2015, technically making it a seven-year contract. However, Webb said that the contract does not provide retro pay for teachers. He also said that the contract was based on the Council Rock School District contract.

According to Webb, the contract restores control of the district back to the administration, school board and taxpayers, such as with district finances, as well as retains programs for students.

Old Vs. New

Webb’s presentation took highlights of the new contract and compared them with the previous contract, which ended on June 30, 2008. The following are some of the highlights mentioned in Webb’s presentation:

• Past Practices — He said that past practices were being used to control work rules and apply what he said were unreasonable grievances. They have been removed in the new contract.

• Equal Voice — Webb explained that equal voice had veto power over rules made by administration, which has been removed in the new contract. Webb said that teachers' input will be needed and welcomed, but the administration has final say.

• MOUs —(Memorandums of Understanding), has also been removed, with certain exceptions. Webb said that MOUs were informal work rules never approved by the board of directors.

• Long-Term Substitutes and Teacher Preference — Under the new contract, Webb said that being a long-term substitute teacher will no longer mean that the substitute will be hired as a full-time teacher, and will be effective June 29, 2015. He said that current employees in the long-term sub pool will continue to be considered for full-time hire until that time. Likewise, teachers will no longer be able to choose positions within the district, based on seniority. Instead, teachers may make requests for positions, but will have to meet the needs of the school.

• Workday — The teacher’s workday will be extended from seven hours to seven-and-a-half hours. The workday may apply to students, but will have to be determined by administration.  Also, an additional day has been added to the previous 188 workday schedule.

• Special Education — Webb said that in the old contract, special education was very restrictive. He explained that Neshaminy has been the biggest client for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. The new contract allows for special education students to return to district schools, providing savings and retaining jobs.

• Early Retirement Incentive – Webb said the old contract required 10 years of service to qualify for the $27,500 incentive. The new contract removes the early retirement incentive.

• Free Health Care for Retirees — Health Care for retiree spouses and dependents has been removed in the new contract. Webb said that those retired this year retain that benefit.

• Health Care — Coverage in the old contract required no contribution. In the new contract teachers will pay 14 percent of the premium as of July 1. By July 1, 2014, the contribution will increase to 16 percent. There will also be a reduction of the previous medication plan. The new contract also has a reduced opt-out plan for employees who choose not to take the district’s health plan, and that district teachers married to one another can not choose this opt out plan. Webb said that the previous contract reimbursed working teachers for 37 percent of the cost of the premium. He said a family plan would cost the district $811 a month, and single plan would cost $327. The new contract would give those who opted out a flat fee of $200 per month. He added that retired teachers can receive medical insurance and opt-out money if their spouse still teaches at the district.

Webb also explained the new teacher’s pay schedule will be based off of Council Rock School District. Qualified teachers will see a positive impact on their salaries in 2014 through their earned Educational Credits Educational Credits, accumulated over the last five years.

Through the of the new contract, Webb said that the district may see an overall $2.5 million in savings.

According to Webb, while the new contract went into effect upon board ratification that evening, he said that some of the changes dictated by the new contract will be gradual at the judgment and discretion of district administration.

Webb’s Power Point presentation is expected to be posted on the Neshaminy Contract Negotiations blog at www.nsdboard.blogspot.com.