I recommend that the School Board approve the Tentative Agreement that was ratified by the Classroom Teachers Association on May 4, 2005.  This agreement amends the 2002-2005 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

 

Highlights of the Tentative Agreement include:

 

Ø      Establishing an annual stipend in the amount of $1,000 to instructional employees who hold an Advanced Degree/National Certificate, effective FY05.

Ø      Increasing the annual stipend from $1,000 to $2,000 in FY06 for those employees holding a valid certificate in The Standards For The Certificate of Clinical Competence (eligible employees are Speech & Language Pathologists and Audiologists) or holding a valid National Certified School Psychologist certificate.

Ø      Establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide payment of the initial cost for the legally required re-fingerprinting of employees and the payment of the annual and every five-year costs of maintaining those prints, i.e., the District pays the initial costs and each employee pays his/her maintenance costs.

Ø      Permitting the District to amend the annual Pay Check Schedule from 24 pays to 26 pays (every other Friday) upon notification to CTA and teachers.

Ø      Establishing a special provision for automatic deposits and “paperless” pay stubs.

Ø      Authorizing the Joint Supplemental Salary Committee to continue its work beyond the 2004-2005 school year.

Ø      Providing insurance coverage effective September 1 for new employees who work at least fifteen days in August and ends coverage on July 31 of the year an employee completes the

                 school year and ends his/her employment with the

                 School District.