PR School Board Approves 2.38 Percent Average Pay Raise for Support Personnel

Pine-Richland School Board unanimously approved a three-year contract Monday night that gives 120 educational support workers an average 2.38 percent pay raise and decreases hours for some employees.

The collective bargaining agreement with the Pine-Richland Education Support Professionals Association covers building secretaries; custodial and maintenance staff; paraeducators; instructional assistants and personal care assistants.

It is effective from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2015.

The work day for paraeducators, instructional assistants and personal care assistants will be reduced by 15 minutes beginning in the second year of the contract, explained Administrative & Legal Affairs Director Anthony DiTommaso, who is the negotiations spokesman.

 The work year for paraeducators/instructional assistants and personal care assistants will be reduced from 193 days to 189 days (equal to the total number of student days, plus four additional days for training and professional development), DiTommaso explained in an email.

The employees' wages will increase 30 cents an hour in the first year (2.19 percent); 35 cents in the second year (2.5 percent); and 35 cents an hour in the third year (2.44 percent).

Employees' contributions to health care also will increase—5 percent of the premium in the first year, 6 percent of the premium in the second year, and 7 percent of the premium in the third year.

"This contract does not provide a post-retirement healthcare benefit for covered employees," DiTommaso outlined in the email. "The prior contract provided for a post-retirement healthcare benefit for eligible employees of 10 years of health insurance coverage, or until Medicare eligible, whichever first occurred."

The Act 93 administrative compensation plan covers 19 positions—principals, assistant principals, directors, psychologists, social worker, human resources and employee benefits administrator and the buildings and maintenance coordinator.

There are 11 positions covered under the administrative support personnel compensation plan.

Voting in favor of the agreement were school board directors Jeffrey Banyas, Therese Dawson, Stephen Hawbaker, Kevin Nigh, Laura Ohlund, Dennis Sundo, Katie Shogan. Directors Peter Lyons and Virginia Goebel were absent.

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