Updated With Video: Abington Teachers, Staff Agree to Salary Freezes

In the wake of the governor’s proposed budget, which could result in a 12 percent decrease in state funding to the district ($2.2 million), three Abington School District bargaining units have agreed to salary freezes for the 2011-2012 school year.

Teacher members of the Abington Education Association/PSEA, members of the Abington Supervisors and Administrators Association, and the Abington School Service Personnel Association/AFSCME facility and maintenance staff have ratified extensions of their existing agreements—which includes the salary freeze.

The Abington School Board passed the motion unanimously Tuesday night.

According to Abington School District Superintendent Amy Sichel, the freeze—to which 82 percent of the district’s employees have agreed—will save the district about $2 million.

Jeffrey Fecher, Abington Senior High School principal and Abington Supervisors and Administration Association (ASAA) president, said, "We recognize the fiscally difficult times in which we all face, and it is our goal to maintain the high quality of education present in Abington School District." 

(See video.)

Central staff members, including Sichel, will also have their salaries frozen for the 2011-12 school year.

There was praise all around following the motion—as well as a standing ovation.

School board member Barry Stupine called the members of the bargaining units “role models;” board president Raymond McGarry called the move “extremely impressive” and “unprecedented.” And school board member Jeannette Maitin called Abington “the best school district in the state.”

Sichel said all of the programs that were offered for the 2010-2011 school year will be available for the 2011-12 installment. She also said that there will be no layoffs in the district.

Check back soon for more details