BY STACI WILSON
Susquehanna County Independent
A contract dispute lasting over two years was settled this week, as the Blue Ridge School District and the teachers’ union reached an agreement.
The school board approved Monday, June 6, a five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Blue Ridge Education Association. The contract reaches back to a July 1, 2014 effective date, and carries forward through June 30, 2019.
Board President Chris Lewis described the past five months of negotiations as a “long process” that was “contentious at times.”
But, he added, that the two and one-half years BREA was without a contract was “too long.”
Lewis was elected board president in December 2015.
According to Lewis, teachers will see 2% increases for both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school terms; a 2.5% increase in the 2016-17 school year; a 2.6% increase in 2017-18; and a 2.75% raise in 2018-19.
Health care contributions will remain at 10% with $100/$300 deductibles.
Lewis said that settling the contract –with the help of Superintendent Matthew Button and Business Director Brian Dolan – was first of many things to do to “get the school district on the right track.”
He also added that transportation contracts had also been “put to bed” for the next five years.
“My personal opinion is that the last four years have been terrible,” Lewis said, citing problems with employee morale and the facility.
Lewis thanked the teachers for working with the board both formally and informally.
In late February, BREA issued a strike notice for March 29. After several negotiating sessions in March, the union moved the strike date to late May, and then later called off the strike.
“Neither side is completely happy,” Lewis said, adding he was glad to have it done.
The board also approved a proposal for architectural and engineering services with Delta Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors of Endwell, N.Y. The proposal is related to the repair of the sanitary sewer line in the school cafeteria.
A proposal for Petcosky & Sons of Vestal, N.Y., was also approved, for sanitary piping replacement under the cafeteria floor.
The project is expected to be completed before the start of the 2016-17 school year, at a cost of $181,240.
The Blue Ridge School Board will hold its next meeting on Monday, June 13, 7 p.m., in the cafeteria located in the elementary school.
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