School Board, Teachers Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

The following is a press release from the West Chester Area School District.

A tentative contract agreement was announced today between the West Chester Area Education Association and the WCASD School Board. The WCAEA and the School Board have been in negotiations for nearly two years, with the last contract having expired on June 30, 2012. Details regarding specific language changes offered by the School Board to the Teachers Association will not be made public until both sides have had the opportunity to discuss the terms internally.

In an attempt to resolve a negotiating impasse, both sides had agreed to enter a process in which the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board appointed an independent fact finder to review pertinent data and issue a report with a suggested settlement. The School Board voted to accept the fact finder’s recommendations on September 9, 2013, while the Teachers Association voted to reject the findings. Both sides then agreed to further negotiations which resulted in the tentative agreement.

In separate statements, School Board President Vince Murphy and Teachers Association President Debbie Fell each expressed cautious optimism about reaching an agreement.

School Board President Vince Murphy said, “After two years of extremely difficult negotiations on issues that ranged from health care reimbursements, to salary ranges, to tuition reimbursements I’m very pleased that we have reached a tentative agreement on a contract that is both fair to taxpayers as well as the teachers in our district. The Board has moved beyond the recommendations made in the fact finder’s report and has addressed several concerns brought forth by the teachers association. The Board is pleased to know that our Union leadership recognizes that we are operating in challenging economic times, and this deal creates a balance between living within our means while also compensating our talented staff for the important work they do.”

“This negotiation process has not been easy for anyone,” added Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jim Scanlon. “I am grateful for our entire school community that both sides have been able to reach a tentative agreement.”

Association President Debbie Fell said, “The teachers in this district continue to strive to keep the focus on our students. It was a very frustrating negotiation process and we are not done. We need to ensure that the School Board recognizes the value our teachers bring to this community and the WCASD. By reaching a tentative agreement, we take the first step in that mission, which is in everyone’s best interest especially our children.”

The Teachers Association is scheduled to vote October 1, 2013, on the contract’s ratification. If approved, the School Board will vote on the tentative agreement at a special meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 8th at 7:30pm, in the Spellman Administration Building.