Teachers, Rochester Administrators Agree to 1-Year Contract

and the Rochester Education Association agreed this week to a one-year contract that requires teachers to pay 20 percent for health benefits and gives them a one-time, $750 bonus payment in December.

Teachers will also receive a raise equivalent to half a step on their predetermined salary schedule.

The fiscal impact of the contract, according to a memo on the agreement reached Thursday night, is a $100,000 savings for the 2012-13 school year.

Under the contract, which was approved by Board of Education members during a special meeting:

• Teachers will move up a half-step on the 2011-12 salary schedule (that schedule is attached to this story). They will receive a one-time $750 off-schedule payment in December; this payment will be pro-rated for part-time teachers. 
• There will be no salary increase for performing arts and athletic positions.
• Students will have one more instructional day than last year. Teachers will have the same number of days, but an additional 6.25 hours of required professional development. 
• All teachers who have district-provided health insurance benefits will be required to pay 20 percent of the cost of those benefits as required under Michigan legislation PA 152. Effective Jan. 1, teachers who wish to continue district-provided benefits will move to a higher deductible Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plan with a health reimbursement account. 
• Teachers will have vision coverage.
• Teachers who opt-out of the health benefits will receive a monthly payment in lieu of benefits between $300 and $500, depending on how many teachers opt out. 

The contract was negotiated by a team of school administrators, led by chief negotiator Gary King. The teachers were represented by Eduarda Crain, unit director for the Michigan Education Association. 

The implementation of the 20 percent health plan contribution will generate $1.8 million, according to the contract. The salary increases, one-time bonus payment and vision coverage will cost $1.7 million.

According to a statement released by the school district, "Both negotiating teams worked tirelessly to be productive and creative during their meetings and believe that the new contract agreement will enable the district to continue to provide a quality education for every child who attends Rochester Community Schools."