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Teachers union, school board open contract talks $78K apart
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · March 27, 2024
Teachers and the West Branch Board of Education began contract talks just under $78,000 apart when they met for the first time on March 18.
In a four-minute meeting, West Branch Education Association President Mary Buol and Vice President Amanda Key requested just under $177,000 in additional salaries and a total package increase of almost $207,000.
The increase amounts to 4 percent more than what the school district spends currently.
The school board’s initial proposal would add about $110,000 to salaries and a total package of almost $129,000. This comes to a 2.5 percent increase.
The teachers’ salary increases come to about $66,000 more than the district’s; the union’s total package increase is about $77,800 higher.
Neither side proposed any changes to the language in the Master Contract.
“I think that really credits our district that we have a really great contract,” Buol said. “In a lot of districts, that’s a big area.”
She said the WBEA appreciates how well the administration and school board collaborate with the union.
“In a world where teachers often feel underappreciated and are expected to support students far beyond the realm of academics, we appreciate the acknowledgment of our efforts and the benefits and pay that commensurate with that work,” Buol said. “It’s unfortunate that our current political climate undervalues the impact we have on children’s lives, our state, and our society.”
School Superintendent Marty Jimmerson also acknowledged the positive working relationship with the WBEA.
“We have Master Contract-slash-handbook that is both, I think, district-friendly and teacher-friendly,” he said.
Jimmerson said the two sides tend to open discussions on the contract early, but both sides seem happy with what they have right now.
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