From Dr. Dan Brenner
Superintendent of Schools

Negotiations Come to Successful Conclusion

Earlier this year I wrote a “progress report” in which I summarized some of the programs and initiatives we are working on in the district. At the time, I made a commitment to providing a similar report at various times in the year. I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on one of the most important projects we have undertaken over the last two years: the successful negotiation of a new contract agreement with the district’s teachers.

On March 18 the Board of Education unanimously approved the terms of a new four-year agreement, which had been ratified by members of the Roslyn Teachers Association a day earlier.

The new agreement covers the school years 2008-09 through 2011-12. The average salary schedule increase over the four years of the contract will be 1.525%, including a 0% increase in the upcoming 2010-11 school year. In addition, teachers will receive no step (longevity) increases until the middle of 2010-11, effectively freezing salaries for 18 months from the beginning of the current school year until the middle of next year.

This was certainly a lengthy and, at times, a difficult negotiations process, but it was also a collaborative one. Both sides came to the table fully aware of the increased burden on the taxpayers and of the fiscal crisis that the state and nation are facing, and also prepared to make concessions in light of that reality. Moreover, everyone understood that the school board and community expected us to make meaningful and sustainable progress on many issues, and that a new agreement had to reflect the substantially altered fiscal environment that the district has experienced over the last few years. It was important that the agreement would not only save money for the district, but would also address educational objectives and enhance the professional environment of our schools.

From the school district’s point of view, there were many outstanding issues that had to be resolved before the Board of Education and administration could feel that they had achieved the best possible agreement. We felt it was important to resolve those issues with the teachers in a cooperative manner, while also being mindful of our obligation to our taxpayers, especially with such a challenging economy. I am confident that the end result is a fair agreement.

Some of the other important changes in the new contract are that the teachers’ contribution towards their health insurance will increase from 12% to 20%, saving taxpayers about $600,000 annually when fully implemented; the elementary school day will be 20 minutes longer, and the elementary schedule will be changed to allow for more flexibility and efficiency; the teacher observation process will be substantially changed; the pay scale for the summer academic program will be immediately reduced, saving an estimated $75,000 in 2010 alone; the number of longevity steps (also known as increments) for new teachers has been reduced from 30 to 25, and the number of sick days that new teachers can accumulate is also reduced.

With public schools facing one of the most difficult budget environments in decades, the new agreement provides a framework that will enable the district to exercise greater control over expenditures. As critical as the fiscal considerations are, I believe that a strong relationship among the district’s professionals is also essential to maintaining Roslyn’s standing among the nation’s top school districts. I am confident that we have successfully achieved both of these goals and that this contract will benefit our students in the years to come.

— March 19, 2010