Published: May 15, 2008 09:12 am         

Westville ratifies teacher contract

Both sides say negotiations went smoothly

WESTVILLE — Teachers in the Westville school district have a new contract as the school board approved the pact Wednesday night.

The three-year deal, which runs from July 1 through June 30, 2011, was voted on and approved by members of the Westville Education Association on Tuesday.

There are around 150 certified teachers and support staff affected.

“We were very pleased and it was ratified by our members overwhelmingly,” said current WEA president Linda Grandon.

Grandon said the negotiating process went smoothly this year, with only two sessions needed be-tween the school board and negotiating team.

“We usually have a few more than that,” Grandon said.

She said the WEA negotiating team of eight had been gathering since fall to work out issues on their own before coming to the board.

Issues that were addressed included the addition of a retirement incentive program.

Qualifying teachers who formally announce their retirement to the board will receive a 6 percent increase of salary during their final two years of service.

“That was a biggie,” said Grandon of the retirement incentive.

Also in the retirement program, there were increases to the amount received for unused sick days and service years.

Other increases for teachers include more support staff vacation time, an additional rollover day and a salary increase for everyone.

Superintendent Jim Owens said the average salary increase was 4 percent per year for everyone on the contract, depending on years of service and education.

Support staff with an associate’s degree also will receive an extra 25 cents per hour on top of their percentage increase.

“We’re thankful to have a three-year agreement,” Owens said. “We have tried to work together to build a good trust.”

Owens said there were few issues in the contract. Earlier contract terms regarding insurance re-mained the same.

“It was a very productive and positive experience,” said board president Janet Ragle.

In other business, board members:

-- Decided to wait to approve asbestos abatement bids for Judith Giacoma Elementary School and Westville Junior High.

District Director of Operations Seth Miller said they have some questions regarding the analysis at the elementary school and want to hold off until they have those answered.

The low bidder for the abatement for both schools was Envirotech of St. Louis, Mo. The company bid $18,787 for the asbestos to be removed at the junior high. At the elementary school, the bid with all alternates included is $58,300, but a change may be necessary before approval.

-- Approved minor changes to the high school handbook and added an extracurricular policy to the junior high handbook that was adapted from the high school’s.

-- Hired Jason Anderson as the district technologist and Brittany Kramer as the high school girls basketball coach.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Westville School Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. June 18 at the unit office.