WCS OKs Teachers' Contract, Quotes For Elementary Equipment
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
The Warsaw School Board also approved quotes for elementary construction loose equipment.
Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz said the process on the agreement with the teachers union, WCEA, started early last fall. Though the process was long, he said there's been mutual respect and understanding. Terry Sims, representing WCEA, acknowledged early on the state of the economy, Hintz said.[[In-content Ad]]Funding from the state was reduced for 2010 by almost 5 percent. In addition, WCS' medical claims continued to worsen. As a result, WCS's renewal quote came back with an increase of nearly 19 percent.
An agreement was reached to recommend a High Deductible Health Plan with Humana for all employees. The agreement includes significant contributions to a Health Savings Account for each member by WCS and results in roughly a 20 percent reduction in premiums for current Preferred Provider Organization members.
Coupled with this change of insurance plans, the 2009-10 teachers' salary schedule will be unchanged from the previous year. The salary schedule will remain unchanged in 2011 too unless the state revenue comes in higher than projected in 2010. In return, all teachers will receive a $500 check in January 2011. The total is estimated to be about $242,000.
Hintz said the WCEA already approved the negotiated agreement. It just needed the school board's approval.
"This is a win-win for everyone," said Delores Hearn, board member.
Ron Yeiter, board member, asked Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott what percentage of employees were PPO. Scott said four out of five were. Employees can still waive insurance.
The board unanimously approved the agreement. According to information in the school board packet, the agreement avoids an initial insurance renewal increase of $1,505,349.
The two quotes for loose equipment totaled $373,343.40 and $10,339.80, according to Board Vice President Dan Robinson. The purchase requests include materials for the media centers, book rooms, health rooms, art classrooms, physical education and playground items, food service and office equipment.
The Warsaw School Board also approved quotes for elementary construction loose equipment.
Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz said the process on the agreement with the teachers union, WCEA, started early last fall. Though the process was long, he said there's been mutual respect and understanding. Terry Sims, representing WCEA, acknowledged early on the state of the economy, Hintz said.[[In-content Ad]]Funding from the state was reduced for 2010 by almost 5 percent. In addition, WCS' medical claims continued to worsen. As a result, WCS's renewal quote came back with an increase of nearly 19 percent.
An agreement was reached to recommend a High Deductible Health Plan with Humana for all employees. The agreement includes significant contributions to a Health Savings Account for each member by WCS and results in roughly a 20 percent reduction in premiums for current Preferred Provider Organization members.
Coupled with this change of insurance plans, the 2009-10 teachers' salary schedule will be unchanged from the previous year. The salary schedule will remain unchanged in 2011 too unless the state revenue comes in higher than projected in 2010. In return, all teachers will receive a $500 check in January 2011. The total is estimated to be about $242,000.
Hintz said the WCEA already approved the negotiated agreement. It just needed the school board's approval.
"This is a win-win for everyone," said Delores Hearn, board member.
Ron Yeiter, board member, asked Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott what percentage of employees were PPO. Scott said four out of five were. Employees can still waive insurance.
The board unanimously approved the agreement. According to information in the school board packet, the agreement avoids an initial insurance renewal increase of $1,505,349.
The two quotes for loose equipment totaled $373,343.40 and $10,339.80, according to Board Vice President Dan Robinson. The purchase requests include materials for the media centers, book rooms, health rooms, art classrooms, physical education and playground items, food service and office equipment.
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