Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Wawasee Community School Corporation teachers could receive salary increases and stipends under a tentative collective bargaining agreement discussed during a special public meeting Thursday.
The agreement, negotiated between the corporation and Wawasee Community Educators Association (WCEA), includes a $600 increase to the salary base for returning teachers and a $1,000 stipend for returning teachers.
Superintendent Kent Myers outlined the proposed 2026-27 contract, emphasizing the district's efforts to provide competitive compensation despite financial challenges stemming from declining enrollment and reduced state funding.
"Our goals throughout negotiation was to provide as strong of a compensation package as we could for our teachers, with also being responsible with the resources that we have available to the district," Myers said.
According to Myers, the corporation has experienced a decline of more than 100 students while also facing reduced state funding during the second year of Indiana's biennial budget.
Despite those constraints, Myers said administrators were pleased with the agreement reached through negotiations.
The proposed contract also includes a 3% increase in health insurance premiums, with the additional costs shared between employees and the corporation. Myers noted that insurance premiums elsewhere have experienced increases of 6% to 8% or more.
Another change involves consolidating personal and family illness days into a single category.
Previously, teachers received 10 personal illness days and two family illness days. Under the tentative agreement, employees would instead receive 12 illness days, providing greater flexibility when caring for themselves or family members.
Myers said the change recognizes the challenges employees face when caring for sick children or aging parents.
During public comments, WCEA Co-President Sarah Wagoner praised the collaborative nature of negotiations, describing the process as respectful and productive.
"The entire bargaining process was a pleasant experience," Wagoner said.
Wagoner, who shares the association's presidency with Peg Zimmerman, said bargaining representatives spent approximately 13 hours meeting face to face with corporation representatives, along with roughly 21 additional hours reviewing contract language and preparing between meetings.
Wagoner said there was no contention.
“There was conversations, but we did feel that they wanted to give whatever they could," Wagoner said.
She stated association members unanimously voted to approve the tentative agreement.
"We are very satisfied," Wagoner said. "Our membership is very satisfied."
Corporation representatives likewise expressed appreciation for the association's willingness to conduct negotiations during evening hours rather than during the school day. The arrangement allowed teachers to remain in their classrooms and avoided additional substitute teacher expenses.
“I just really want to say ‘thank you’ to the bargaining union as well,” Assistant Superintendent Michelle Walden said. “Yes, we were spending our time outside school, but they were also giving up their evenings and their time as well. I want to recognize that.”
Myers thanked the association's bargaining team for its professionalism and cooperation and highlighted the shared commitment to students throughout the process.
The meeting was held to publicly discuss the tentative agreement before formal board action. No vote occurred.
The Wawasee Board of School Trustees is scheduled to consider ratifying the agreement during its Nov. 10 meeting.
