Back in June 2010 one year "successor agreements" were established between various unions and the Newburgh School District. These agreements specify modifications to the the previously in-effect contracts which expired in June of 2010.
The agreement with the NTA is a single page. The chart of salaries ("step increases") used for 2009-2010 is increased by 1.75%, with additional $1,000 and $2,000 increases at certain steps. Step advancement and the increased salaries will be effective December 1. Assuming an advancement of one step, this will result in a net increase of between 3 and 6 percent for most NTA members.
Retired members of the NTA have a right to vote on contracts. Presumably, Board of Education members Bowles, DeMarco, and McAfee would have had that right.
The agreement with the NTA Teaching Assistants is two pages long. The salary schedule is increased by 1.75%, with the change to be effective December 1. Due to "advancing a step" the actual raise percent will be higher than 1.75%. Maximum accumulation of sick leave is increased from 225 days to 300 days.
The agreement with the CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association, OC Local 836) is six pages long. Employees not eligible for step advancement are to receive a 1.5% "longevity" that isn't added to base salary. Other employees will advance a step but not get an additional wage increase. Senior Monitors get a $4,000 increase over step. There are a number of other provisions, including a prohibition on collecting on a health insurance buy-out as a retiree while receiving health insurance as a spouse of a retiree.
All three of these agreements terminate June 30, 2011.
Is the Economic Crisis Over???
Did anyone miss the announcement that the economy is healthy enough so that taxpayers can afford these increases? Unfortunately that is hardly the truth The same economic troubles of unemployment, underemployment, frozen salaries and loss wages remain with many of us, except for the Newburgh Sraff, who are taking from their struggling neighbors and the students who are having to do with less this school year. The BOE along with its retired teacher members are also guilty of being selfish and heartless by raising wages for their colleagues, while inflicting more economic pain on their neighbors and students.
And don't even argue that "teachers need to pay their bills, too" Every taxpayer in thge NECSD needs to pay their bills. the difference is that the NTA takes the money from those economically struggling neighbors. There is no mentioin of give backs. What about paying 20-30% for health insurance? What about reducing the number of sick and personal days off with pay? What about adding a few more school days to the calendar?
Looks like the BOE of retired teachers and the NTA simply cared to pat each other on the back and took care of each other rather than reduce the expense for the struggling taxpayer - you know, your neighbors and the students they serve.
teacher sacrifice
Actually, the Newburgh teachers took a salary freeze until December. You wouldn't consider that to be some kind of sacrifice? You probably just expect all teachers to work for free, live in cardboard boxes, and pick food out of dumpsters.