LCS board proposes no teacher salary increase for 2010-11

That's the opening proposal put forth by the Le Mars Community Schools board of education negotiating team in response to contract talks with the Le Mars Community Education Association (LCED) for the 2010-11 teachers' contract.

The board's proposal was given at a 5 p.m. Monday public meeting at the Education Services Center.

The proposal comes two weeks after the LCED gave its proposal which seeks a $205 increase in the base salary and a $50 increase in insurance contribution by the district.

Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt read an opening statement on behalf of the board, acknowledging the dedicated service to students of the district provided by the teachers represented by the association.

In the statement, the board and negotiating team also question the LCED's proposal for an increase.

"In spite of the district receiving what looks more and more like a permanent reduction of over $1 million as ordered by the governor in an earlier across-the-board cut, the loss of 63 students this year that adds to a total enrollment decline of approximately 170 students the past four years, and the fragile nature of the local, state and national economy, the association has decided to ask for a 3 percent increase in salary and benefits costing roughly $300,000," Wendt said.

The board and its negotiating team look to the LCED to answer the question of where the additional $300,000 needed to fund its 3 percent package increase would come from. The board asked what people, programs and services it should cut, in addition to those identified by the superintendent, to balance next year's budget without totally depleting the district's reserves or increasing property taxes by an unacceptable amount, according to Wendt.

"As has been the case with each and every bargaining exercise with the association, it is the board's intent to maintain the competitive salary and benefit compensation package currently enjoyed by both members and non-members of the association as long as it is financially reasonable," Wendt said.

The board's action in settling contract negotiations has resulted with the teachers at or above the state average settlement in 10 of the last 14 years, he continued.

"That has improved our teacher salary and benefits package to a very competitive position in comparison to other school districts in our comparability group," Wendt said.

"The board of education does not apologize for nor feel guilt about the salary and benefit package settlements the past three years, referred to in the association's opening statement," Wendt continued.

He pointed out the 2007-08 settlement of 4.64 percent was only .06 percent less that the state average settlement of 4.7 percent.

In addition, the 2009-10 contract settlement was not a mutually agreed to settlement with the association, but was a settlement awarded by an arbitrator.

Wendt indicated the financial condition of the school district during the past three years referred to the association's opening statement, has made it financially unreasonable for the board and the association to settle above the state average.

The salary schedule will need to include the Teacher Salary Supplement dollars, which were previously distributed as Phase II money and Teacher Quality Dollars. That change is mandated by a measure passed by the Legislature.

As proposed by the district negotiating team, the base salary would remain at $30,745.

The board proposes distributing the Teacher Salary Supplement (TSS) money equally, as has been done the past four years with the Teacher Quality Dollars.

That proposal would add $4,394 to each salary on the schedule, making the base salary $35,139.

In addition, the board proposes language in the contract referring to the Teacher Salary Supplement, the fact that if the money is not allocated from the state level, the district is not obligated to pay additional money to the teachers.

Both the board and the LCED are awaiting guidance on how to implement the Teacher Salary Supplement into the salary schedule.

Wendt indicated the board wants to maintain the consistency of distributing those state dollars equally to all staff members, similar to the agreements the district and teachers have had for the money the last four years.

Both sides indicated there is little to be done in the way of negotiation until items such as insurance premium costs and allowable growth in school funding, which is set by the Iowa Legislature, are known.

The bargaining teams expect to meet later in January to continue the negotiation process.