Beth-Center board, teachers still have no agreement
DEEMSTON – The Bethlehem-Center School Board and striking teachers found no resolution when the two met again in negotiations Monday evening. Bethlehem-Center teachers began walking the picket line more than a week ago after the two parties could not agree on salary and class size.
School board member Denise Duvall said she had been optimistic going into the meeting.
“I was feeling hopeful last night going in, but instead of coming closer the mediator came back with a higher figure from the teachers,” she said.
However, Debbie Young, spokeswoman for the teacher’s association, said the teachers brought a smaller number to the table.
“The mediator broke off negotiations because the board was not willing to move. We did come back with a lower offer,” she said. “We’re willing to negotiate, but we need to negotiate.”
The school board brought salary and work hour statistics to the meeting.
According to a 2005-2006 Washington County salary comparison chart, Bethlehem-Center teachers make $27,000 at Step 1 of the bachelor’s scale compared to $28,250 in Avella; $33,724 in Bentworth; $29,500 in Burgettstown; $30,800 in California; $35,200 in Canon-McMillan; $26,000 in Fort Cherry; $32,420 in McGuffey; and $35,625 in Trinity.
At Step 17, Bethlehem-Center teachers pull in $59,750 compared to $48,821 in Avella; $48,324 in Bentworth; $52,425 in Burgettstown; $58,156 in California; $54,882 in Canon-McMillan; $47,204 in Fort Cherry; $53,870 in McGuffey; and $50,450 in Trinity.
As for work hours, Bethlehem-Center teachers work 182 days a year, 7.25 hours a day compared to 183 days a year, 7.20 hours a day for Albert Gallatin teachers; and 184.5 days a year, 7 hours a day for Brownsville teachers, according to an Intermediate Unit 1 survey. Teachers in California Area School District work the same number of days as Bethlehem-Center teachers but at 7.15 hours.
School board members Sandra Yohe, Gary Ewing, George Trout, Joan Caputo and Duvall were present for the meeting. Spokesman Wade Smith was absent, but Superintendent Dr. Karen Downie was present.
“The school board was prepared and willing to negotiate and reiterated their latest offer of a $1,300 a year salary increase for each year of a five year contract,” stated a press release from Downie. “The teachers’ association refused the offer and increased their salary demands to $2,200 for each year of the contract.”
Downie also stated that the board is willing to negotiate.
“The Bethlehem-Center School Board is in a very precarious situation in that they must be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of our community who cannot afford the increased tax burden that would be necessary to meet the teachers’ demands, maintain a quality education for the students, and provide fair wage to the teachers in our district,” she stated. “The board remains committed to bringing about a settlement to this contract dispute and remains willing to negotiate with the teachers’ union.”
Tony Molish, chief negotiator for the teachers, delivered his regret at the failed negotiations in a press release from the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA).
“I am gravely disappointed that, after six days, the board showed absolutely no interest in working toward a settlement,” he stated.
Duvall said she holds out hope for a resolution.
“I would like to see us keep negotiating,” she said. “Our kids need to be in school, but I still have a responsibility to look out for the financial end of the district. I do believe both sides can work it out.”
Neither side offered a date for continued negotiations.