Schools
School Board Approves Contract Agreement with Novi Teachers
The contract, which must also be approved by the teachers, calls for no salary step raises in 2013-14.
The Novi Community School District Board of Education approved by a unanimous vote at its Thursday meeting a two-year contract agreement with Novi teachers.
"I felt the negotiations were professional and we conducted them in a positive manner," said Novi schools Superintendent Steve Matthews at the meeting.
The school board worked with the Novi Education Association (NEA), which represents Novi teachers, on the contract agreement, which covers the contract years of 2013-14 and 2014-15. The negotiating teams from both sides met 16 times over the last few months and reached a tentative agreement Nov. 26.
"The teachers union's willingness to eliminate step raises for one year will bring an additional $800 to $900,000 to our budget," said Novi school board President Dennis O'Connor at Thursday's meeting.
He said that won't completely solve the funding issues but that it is a "badly needed step in the right direction."
Teachers vote Monday whether to approve contract
This approval is contingent on approval by the NEA, meaning the school board vote is nullified if the NEA does not ratify the contract. According to NEA spokesperson Seth Furlow, a science teacher at Novi High School, the teachers will vote Monday and votes will be counted Tuesday afternoon."I would expect it to pass," he said in an email to Patch.
The highlights of the agreement are:
1. Contractually prohibited subjects have been removed from the contract.
2. Half percent off schedule reduction on all salary schedule steps retroactive to the commencement of the 2013-2014 school year.
3. No salary step raises in 2013-14.
4. Salary track/column advancements (for additional college credits and degrees) will be paid in 2013-2014 prospectively at ratification.
5. Wage re-opener on salary schedule, steps, and health insurance premium contributions for 2014-2015.
6. Half percent off schedule reduction implemented in 2013-2014 will be the status quo during the wage re-opener.
7. Health insurance options include a $500/$1000 deductible or a high deductible plan effective Feb. 1.
8. If legislation amending Public Act 152 to increase maximum hard cap employer contribution category for “two-person” enrollments the district will increase its premium contribution for those enrollments Feb. 1. If the amending legislation does not become effective until after Feb. 1, the change will commence on the first day of the month immediately following the effective date of the corrective legislation.
9. A Resignation Notice Incentive for 2013-2014 of $1,500 will be offered.
a. Member must be at Step 11 or higher.
b. Must submit notice by February 14, 2014.
c. Resignation will be effective at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year unless an earlier date is agreed upon by the teacher and the District.
d. Teacher must perform transitional responsibilities within department or grade level, as developed in consultation with the Principal.
10. Contract expires June 30, 2015
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