A representative from the law firm of Lynch-Dallas, in Cedar Rapids, presented to the Atlantic Education Association, Tuesday afternoon, the Atlantic Board of Education’s initial bargaining proposal for the 2017-18 School Year as part two of the collective bargaining process. Last week, the Education Association (representing the District’s Certified Staff), made its initial proposal, which essentially called for a 5.9 percent total package increase along with a $1,900 increase in base pay.

Emily Ellingsen, with Lynch-Dallas, said the District proposes a “Step and lane Movement” salary schedule, which would be “adjusted to reflect the accurate TSS Base (Teacher Salary Schedule) calculation (estimated at $3,470), which shall not be costed into the total package.” The estimated total package amounts to an increase of 1.380%.

The District also made changes to the length of the work day. The proposal calls for the day to begin at 8-a.m. for teachers and staff (instead of 7:45-a.m.), and ending at 4-p.m. (Instead of 3:45-p.m.) That didn’t sit well with some of the Education Association’s reps, but Ellingson explained, and the proposal spells out, that the hours would be “Soley at the discretion of the building principal.” Furthermore, that “If District professional development extends the work day, comp time will be made available for the staff. All comp time must be used in the pay period during which it is earned.”

Ellingsen, Superintendent Dr. Mike Amstein, and the Education Association will meet again, at a date to be determined, to continue negotiations. Much of which will be based upon what the Iowa Legislature decides to do with Aid to Schools. Republicans in the Iowa House have sent the governor a bill that will increase general state aid to public schools by 40-million dollars for the next academic year, which amounts to about a $73 per student increase over last year, or 1.1%. Democrats say schools need far more than what Republicans are offering, but Republican lawmakers says they are responding to the dilemma of limited state tax collections.

About a month ago, Governor Branstad recommended a 2% state spending boost for schools in each of the next two years. On Monday, he indicated he will accept the ONE-year, roughly 1% percent increase Republican legislators have agreed upon.

For the Atlantic School District, a meeting will be held Thursday afternoon between the Board of Directors and the Non-Certified Staff’s Bargaining Unit. The meeting takes place at 4-p.m., in the Middle School Library.