By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

As the Oct. 26 meeting got underway, Parkland School Board member Lisa Roth asked for approval to place an additional item on the agenda.

She said the Parkland Education Association voted earlier in the day to approve a new contract which will extend from Sept. 1, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2025.

PEA represents approximately 680 members, including teachers, nurses, guidance counselors and other professional staff.

The contract includes a 2.9-percent annual salary increase.

Starting salary for a teacher with a Bachelor’s degree will be $59,375. For someone with a Master’s degree, the salary will be $67,439.

Stipend salaries for athletic coaches, department chairs and student activity advisors will increase at the same interval as the salaries each year.

Roth, who served on the negotiating committee, commented.

“We are so pleased to enter into an early bird agreement with our staff,” Roth said.

“We value our amazing teachers and appreciate that our staff continues to recognize that increases to health care contributions are necessary for the district to handle the rising cost of medical insurance.”

Employees under this agreement will have a choice of Preferred Provider Organization plans.

Director of Communication Nicole McGalla explained the PPOs differ in the amount of deductibles, copays and overall rates.

Over the three-year term of the contract, employee cost for single coverage will increase $540, and for multiple party coverage, the amount will increase $1,080 per employee.

Roth commented on the willingness of PEA to go along with the higher medical insurance expenses.

“We thank the PEA for being a partner in helping us to manage taxpayer funds responsibly and share in these rising nationwide costs,” Roth said.

When the time came for the board to vote on the contract, President David Hein and Vice President Carol Facchiano both abstained due to having family members in the PEA.

The agreement was ratified with all other board members voting in favor.

Board member Robert Bold expressed his thoughts on the matter.

“I am pleased PEA and Parkland School District came up with a contract,” Bold said.

“Congratulations to both sides.”

Bold recalled that before 1970, teachers had to beg for salary increases and occasionally went on strike to receive better pay and benefits.

He said the present collective bargaining system is a great improvement over the conditions decades ago.

Sandi Gackenbach, president of the PEA, commented on the agreement.

“The Parkland Education Association is grateful for the relationship it enjoys with the administration and board of directors,” Gackenbach said.

“Negotiations can be challenging, but when both sides have a vested interest in the health of our district and the success of our students, it is comforting to know that we have a cooperative relationship that meets the needs of both sides.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Madson provided remarks on the process and contract.

“Both parties collaborated well to create a fair contract that is fiscally responsible and rewards our employees for their skills and dedication to the important and varied roles they play within Parkland,” Madson said. “It’s great for teachers, taxpayers and our kids.”