Union leaders spoke of feeling “demeaned and undervalued” after 12 bargaining sessions with MCPS administrators. All but one of the other Class AA districts in the state have settled contracts already, most after one or two days of talks.
MCPS Personnel Director Larry Johnson said the school district's offer of 2.6 percent increases on a new base salary works out to $1.27 million in new spending next year. That's slightly more than the sum of $2,000 for each certified teacher approved by last year's special Legislative session. The union's proposal would cost about $2.14 million, he said.
“We have a proposal on the table for a 5.75 percent salary increase,” Thane said. “We are no longer competitive with the other major districts in this state. When student teachers come to me and ask where to apply, I tell them Bozeman and Billings.”
A major difference is the union's use of the existing salary matrix, while the administration has proposed a new one that boosts starting teacher pay faster. Another gulf lies between union and administration requests for insurance contributions.
Trustee Joe Toth suggested that both sides back off the insurance matter in the proposed three-year contract. He said the possibility of the state or federal governments producing a new health insurance system was high enough to warrant waiting.
Trustees Tom Orr and Drake Lemm added that opting for higher deductibles on insurance programs might allow the district more cash to put toward salaries.
While Montana's average teacher salary of $38,485 ranks 45th in the nation, Johnson said, the Missoula average salary of $43,630 is much closer to the national average of $47,808. But he added that better-paying districts such as Helena are attracting 500 applications from new teachers, compared with Missoula's 200 this year.
New trustee Nancy Pickhardt asked how the other districts were able to settle so much sooner than Missoula. Johnson replied that they offered larger salary packages. But he added he didn't know what the total cost of those packages were compared to Missoula's potential cost. Depending on how many teachers are at the top or bottom of the pay matrix, a higher percentage raise can cost a district with a younger staff less money.
The administration and union have their next negotiating session set for Monday.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)