Representatives with the Atlantic Education Association presented their Initial Collective Bargaining Proposal for the 2016-17 School Year to the School Board, Wednesday evening. The contract, as proposed, is based on 190 contract days, including those for Professional Development. JoAnn Runyon spoke before the Board at the High School Media Center.

Runyon said their proposal includes a nearly 5.9-percent increase in salaries and benefits for Certified Staff, meaning the current base pay would increase $2,000, from $34, 411 per year to $37,411, including step and lane movement. That would put the base salary somewhat more in-line with what other Hawkeye 10 Conference schools are paying, based on enrollment figures. Their proposal also calls for a change in how much the District contributes toward family insurance coverage. Under the proposal, that would jump from $100 per month to $200 per month for teachers requesting family coverage. Employees who do not have a family policy can elect to receive a cash payment or have the amount applied towards a Tax Sheltered Annuity, under the Association’s proposal.

The Education Association also requested a change in the dollar amount for payment of FFA Sponsor from $1,374 to $2,748, and the addition of a summer weight room supervisor (under the Extended/Special Contracts Salary part of the proposal). That person would receive $4,000. The old provision simply said a weight room supervisor, outside of contract hours, would be paid $10 per hour.

And, the Association requested the number of Personal Leave days be increased from two, to three, or a maximum accumulated leave of five days in any one year, instead of three. They also requested a section of the current contract stating Personal leave days may not be used to extend a vacation or holiday..with certain exceptions…be stricken from the contract.

Officials with the Atlantic Community School District (ACSD) presented their proposal Jan. 6th. The next step is for the District to revisit its initial proposal, before additional talks are held.