Oswego School District Approves Multi-Year Contracts for Teachers, Support Staff

Source: Oswego School District 308 website

Oswego School District 308 has approved multi-year employment contracts with the Oswego Education Association (OEA) and the Oswego Education Support Professional Association (OESPA) that align with the school students district’s mission and aims to retain excellent teachers and staff members.

The OEA contract was approved by 87 percent of educators, and the OESPA contract was approved by 95 percent of professional support staff.

“Our teachers and staff members have a rewarding, but difficult job, Board of Education President Matt Bauman said. “The contracts are ones we can be happy about. They balance the needs of everyone involved.”

The OEA contract, which covers teachers and other professional personnel, is a four-year agreement with an annual average raise of 3 percent that includes step and base increases. The contract expires on June 30, 2019.

“The OEA is pleased to have reached an agreement that acknowledges the hard work, dedication and professionalism of teachers in the District,” said OEA Co-Presidents Andrew Gothelf and Elizabeth Palatine in a joint statement. “It took a lot of work and many discussions on several issues for both parties to come together for this agreement. Most importantly, the final product is one that we believe will help us continue to attract and retain great teachers.”

The OESPA contract, which covers support staff, is a five-year agreement expiring June 30, 2020, with a $1 per hour raise in each of the first two years and .50 cent per hour increase in years three, four and five.

Kristin Odum, OESPA President, feels the successfully negotiated contract will have a positive impact in the future.

“We are grateful for this new contract that will change the lives of 317 families in meaningful and profound ways. We deeply appreciate the partnership we enjoy with the administration of School District 308,” she said. “We look forward to working together in the important work we are called to do, including caring for and helping to educate the students entrusted to us.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Wendt said he was pleased with the employment contracts and the process.

“In my opinion, this is a historical agreement that correctly provides salary, hourly and other increases to members of these two Associations. Our teachers do a tremendous job of educating students and our support staff members are some of the best people I have ever been associated with in my career,” Wendt said. “We are coming closer to our stated goal of becoming a world-class school district by recognizing the importance of paying and supporting great employees.

The new contracts are retroactive to July 1, 2015.

Dr. Wendt added, “I want to offer what is so important to me and often left unstated. Those who worked on these contracts, including OEA and OESPA negotiating team members, UniServe Director Raphael Daniels, Board Attorney Maureen Lemon and members of my senior administrative team, make us all proud today. I have never been associated with more professionalism, respect and an attitude of working together. Specifically, Co-Presidents of OEA, Elizabeth Palatine and Andrew Gothelf, and OESPA President Kris Odum, are just simply great people and dedicated educators. I respect them so much and appreciate the work they do for their members and the vision of School District 308.”