Salary negotiations for teachers still at impasse

Fringe benefit proposal accepted

A tight deadline pressed the Lawrence Education Assn. on Thursday to make a decision about fringe benefits for Lawrence teachers.

But salary negotiations with the teachers’ group and the school district will continue because both sides could not agree on the big-dollar issue.

The district offered a salary plan that would give each teacher a $2,600 flat increase and allow for raises for additional education. That plan would cost the district $2.6 million, including fringe benefits and other costs. In a summary of their offer, the district also said it would increase the school board’s contribution by about $100,000 for teachers’ early retirement benefits.

The offer was the maximum amount the district negotiators were authorized by the school board to make, said Sue Morgan, a board member and district negotiator.

The teachers’ group pressed for a new salary matrix that would cost the district about $2.6 million for salaries.

Mary Rodriguez, the district’s lead negotiator, said the LEA must decide about fringe benefits in order to receive a package that other employees also are receiving.

“This is the same option that we have already given to classified and administrative staff,” she said. “We’re offering it again.”

At the end of the meeting, the LEA accepted the plan.

Both sides agree that the current salary system is flawed and needs revamping, but they could not agree on how to change it.

The LEA pressed to change the matrix this year and then review it and make possible changes again in the future.

“It gives us a much better playing field to start looking at changes,” said Kelly Barker, a teacher and LEA member.

But district negotiators didn’t agree to that plan.

“There are elements of (the LEA’s proposal) that I don’t think necessarily meet our goals,” Morgan said.

The next meeting has not been set.