The Harlan Community School District’s Board of Education offered a counter-proposal to the Harlan Education Association (HEA), Monday. The HEA made its initial proposal at a meeting with the school board two-weeks ago. During that meeting, the association had asked for a 5% wage increase and some policy changes, with regard to personal leave, the adding of duty free recesses for teachers at the Primary and Intermediate buildings to work with students, and early retirement.

During Monday’s meeting, Harlan Superintendent Justin Wagner made a few changes to the contract proposal, including one pertaining to realignment. Previously, the rule stated an employee would have first priority to a vacancy in the district. However, the new proposal says an employee may apply for the vacancy and be considered for the position before the district seeks an applicant from outside the bargaining unit.

Also in the realignment, the school district added, “After a teacher has been realigned at their request, the teacher will not be eligible for any other voluntary realignment until they have completed 3 full years in the new position.” And, with regard to compensation, the Harlan School board proposed a 2.05% increase for the teacher’s total package. The Education Association will have a chance to review the counter-proposal before further meetings will take place between the HEA and the school board. The subsequent meetings will take place in closed session.

And, as we reported Monday, Harlan Superintendent Secretary/Board of Education Secretary Terry Cox is retiring from her position. Cox has been the board secretary since 1999 and has been with the district a total of 32 years. She told the board she has seen many changes at the district over the years, but the goal has always been the same: To educate the kids.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)