School Board Passes Agreement

The passed a “Memorandum of Agreement” between the board and the West Chester Area Education Association on Monday night that would extend medical benefits to teachers who put in for retirement after the April 1 deadline.

“The current teacher contract requires that retirement notice be given by April 1,” said district Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon.  “This extends that deadline until April 23.  It says that the board cannot change the medical benefits you’re entitled to under the current contract if you file for retirement by April 23.”

The agreement comes in the middle of contract negotiations between the board and the education association.  Last year, the education association extended their contract until June 2012, freezing salaries and saving the district money.

“I want to thank you, and say how happy I am that we came to an agreement,” said education association president Debbie Fell.  “I hope to see further cooperation between the board and the association as we move forward and try to negotiate a fair contract.”

According to Dr. Scanlon, the retirement deadline was extended because fewer teachers filed for retirement than were budgeted.

In order to save money, the district budgets for retirements.  The district saves money in the difference in salary between a long-tenured teacher and a brand-new teacher fresh out of college.

According to Dr. Scanlon, only 11 teachers had notified the district that they intended to retire.  The district had budgeted for 33.

If only 11 teachers retired, it could cost the district an additional $700,000 for the 2012-13 school year.

The agreement passed 7-0.  Board members Sean Carpenter and Hedi Adsett were absent from the meeting.