Wissahickon School District Settles Contract with Support Staff

The Wissahickon school board on Monday evening unanimously approved a contract with its support staff following 18 months of negotiations. 

The support staff include such employees as bus drivers, secretaries, staff nurses, and special education assistants, who are represented by the Wissahickon Education Alliance. 

The three-year contract runs from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015 and includes provisions addressing salary raises, health benefits, and the creation of a “technology technician” position.  

According to the President of the district’s Board of Directors, Young Park, some of the employees compromised on health care issues, which are slated to give the district substantial savings starting in 2015.  “I would like to thank everyone that was involved in the process,” said Park.  

“I think that the sides worked perfectly to reach an agreement,” said Judith Clark, the district Superintendent.

The support staff employees’ salaries will see no increase in the first year of the new contract, rise 2.75 percent in the second year and 2.75 percent in the third year. Regarding health insurance, after June 29, 2015, the district will cease paying for health benefits for support staff who work fewer than 6 hours a day. Further savings to the district are expected to accrue in the 2013-2014 school year when the union switches to a prescription drug plan that is expected to save the district 11 percent overall.  

“The union is very happy with the upcoming contract.  The most beneficial thing is that the transportation employees keep their jobs for two years,” said Frank DeRuosi, Vice President of WEA.

“I think that the kids are the winners in this. I think because they have their support staff they know and love, who are so meaningful,” said Burunda Prince-Jones, Chair of the Board’s Curriculum/Technology Committee.

Carmina Taylor, a former co-president of the district’s Parent-Teacher Council, said she's happy the contract negotiations are settled. 

“I know people who are support staff who were not happy with no raise, so they were happy to have this raise.”  

At the same time, according to Taylor, morale is low for some across the district: “there is a feeling that there is not a respect for professionals.”

Although the support-staff contract has been settled, according to Prince-Jones the Wissahickon Education Alliance teachers' contracts are still being resolved.

(This story was written and reported by Nicole Foulke.)