Union Contract Rejected by School Board

During a special meeting last night, the rejected with its classified union.

In a press release, the board called the Classified Education Association's contract "inaccurate."

Comments from a CEA representative were not immediately available.

Board President Pat Matthews requested the union and district's negotiators meet to reach an agreement.

“We would be neglectful to the community taxpayers if we didn’t reject their version of the contract. There were misunderstandings between what the board and administration presented to classified leaders and what the classified leadership presented to their members,”said Boardmember Denny Mariola.

Before rejecting the contract last night, the classified staff and administration agreed on a .

The concessions in the agreement with , is

The board said healthcare benefits and salary are not the problem in the rejected contract.

The 240 classified employees will not have increases in base salary or longevity step increases.

Employee contributions for benefits will increase from 5 percent to 10 percent the first year and to 15 percent the second year.

District Treasurer/CFO Catherine Bulgrin said single coverage now is $31.61 a month and it will double the first year and triple the second year.

Family coverage is currently $76.93 a month and that figure will also double and triple in cost during the course of the contract, she said.

“We will continue to work in the best interest of the community and our classified people. The board and management continue to strive to be fair and equitable to both our community and classified employees,” said Matthews.

For a comment from the CEA when it becomes available, check back with Stow Patch.