Clarkstown Schools in Contract Talks With 8 Unions

The school work for the kids attending Clarkstown public schools may be winding down, but the work for the adults in the district's unions, school board and administration is just getting into high gear.

Contracts for eight of the district's 10 unions will expire before the start of the new school year, and union representatives and the district must negotiate new ones amidst one of the largest recessions in the country's history and growing state and national debts that more than likely will lead to decreased amounts of state and federal aid.

All of the previous expiring contracts were for five years, meaning they were negotiated in far better economic times and in the middle of a housing boom that helped generate more local taxes due to higher assessments. Those assessments have since retreated, as has outside aid, making these contract talks at this juncture critical for the district's future.

"It's very critical that we work out fair deals for both sides," said Phillip DeGaetano, the Clarkstown school board's president.

 "We're looking for a little relief because next year is going to be a difficult one," he added, citing the uncertainty of state and federal aid levels.

The contract talks continue in an atmosphere somewhat less tense than a month ago, when school offiicials were still lobbying district residents to approve the proposed $167.6 million budget.

Originally facing a $5.9 million budget deficit and layoffs of more than 150 employees, by the end of the budget process the school board was able to lessen the cuts and keep the proposed tax increase in the budget at a little more than 2 percent. The approved budget increases the average homeowner's taxes by about $132.

In the May 18 voting, district residents came out in force - 69 percent of the registered voters -  to overwhelmingly approve the spending plan offered up by the school board. In voting that was so heavy school officials needed extra time to tally the votes, the budget was approved 4,978 to 2,399 – a 67.48 margin of victory.

To the superintendent and school board members, the vote was a signal that Clarkstown residents want to maintain quality schools.

Negotiations continue

While neither side would discuss any details, the main contested points of a typical union contract focus on wages and benefits, especially health care contributions and pension payments.

Schools Superintendent Margaret Keller-Cogan said she was unable to comment on whether this round of contracts would be for similar lengths.

The pros of such lengthy deals are that they allow everyone to concentrate on educating the district's children without the potential distraction of contract negotiations, she said. It also provides for some cost certainty in the district's budgeting process, which eliminates some of the guess work in drafting a budget, but also can make it more difficult, like it has the past few years, because the contract's cost increases already are locked in place.

The unions' leaders have been part of the district's budget talks and "they have heard all the concerns and are mindful of the economic conditions we're living in," Keller-Cogan said.

She is hopeful they will bear that in mind during negotiations.

"I'm very optimistic that they will be," she added. "We have a good working relationship and they are aware of the challenges we face and the challenges our residents are facing (in regard to taxes)."

Representatives from some of the district's largest unions – the teachers, teaching assistants and facilities – declined to comment on any part of their respective contract talks or whether the financial difficulties facing the district could affect their positions as part of the negotiations.

District and the various unions' officials have been meeting about every two weeks to help expedite the process and have the contracts in place before they expire, Keller-Cogan said. Historically, the two sides have had negotiated deals prior to the old ones expiring, she said.

DeGaetano said the contract being concentrated on primarily so far is the teachers'  union deal. He said those talks could be wrapped up by the end on the month.

"I think we are on the right track and am very confident in (the administration) that we can come to an agreement fairly quickly," he said.