UASD directors approve pact with teachers
Uniontown Area School Board directors approved a four-year deal with its teacher’s union following more than 13 months of negotiations.
The directors voted 5-3 in favor of the new pact with Uniontown Area Education Association. Although very few specific details were available following the board meeting Monday, some board members indicated the contract was “too costly.”
“In all contract negotiations, there is a lot of give and take,” said Sam Davis, district solicitor. “Some salary negotiations were difficult because of the financial condition of the district, and the teacher’s association was understanding. The contract was fair to teachers, administrators and the citizenry.”
Teachers in the district have been working without a contract since September. Under the new agreement, which was ratified by the union in a 147-52 vote, teachers will pay 5 percent of their healthcare costs and teachers will receive salary increases depending on years of service.
“The district did very well on compensation,” said union President Shelly Crothers. “I think it was a very conscientious effort on both sides.”
Board members Ken Meadows, Susan Clay, Terry Dawson, Dorothy Grahek and Rev. Vincent Winfrey voted in favor of the agreement. Director Bill Rittenhouse was absent from the meeting.
“I’d like to congratulate both the teachers association and the board working together to get our contract ratified,” Meadows said.
Citing a lack of specific information, directors Thomas George, Bill Gerke and Don Rugola voted against the contract for the more than 200 teachers in the district.
“It’s just too costly for the taxpayers and specific amounts of increases were never given,” said George.
Gerke said the contract costs will need to be passed on to the taxpayers.
“I have always been a proponent that we live within our means, and now taxes will need to be increased down the road,” said Gerke.
According to Gerke and George, the contract includes a 4 percent salary increase in the second year and an increase in the “bump step” could prove burdensome for the district in the future. However, the directors were uncertain as to actual figures or district salaries.
The UAEA and the school district have been in negotiations since December 2012, according to Davis and Crothers.
“There were a lot of things in this contract, unanimity among all parties is difficult,” said Davis.
In other business, on Monday the board approved the retirement of longtime chief of school police and security Don Homer, effective Feb. 28.
The directors tabled the discussion of the administrative security position and a replacement for Homer.
The board will meet in executive session on Feb. 26 to discuss the matter further.
The board also gave approval to a new after school mentoring program for female students.
Area concerned citizens and educators Chantla Colon and Gina Jones will lead the program “Making A Change” that is meant to curb violence among teen girls and encourage career development, leadership, etiquette and pride.