Like Neshaminy, Bensalem Teachers Have No Contract

Teachers in the Neshaminy School District have made headlines in the last couple weeks as they walked the picket line after four years of failed contract negotiations.

What some folks forget is that the 450 or so members of the Bensalem Township Education Association have been working without a contract this school year after their latest deal expired in June.

Superintendent David Baugh and school board President Heather Nicholas say they are not worried.

"Our teachers are teaching, our administrators are administrating and our students are coming to school," Baugh said.

The hired a professional negotiator in December 2010. Baugh previously said the first contract session was held last January and talks resumed in May. Since the start of this school year, he said last week, the two sides had met four to six times and were in the process of swapping dates in order to set up their next session.

"I can tell you everyone is working hard and in good faith. The entire county, if not state, is watching Neshaminy," said Baugh, who last year stated several unresolved teacher contracts in Bucks County were being eyed.

Nicholas said she doesn't want to compare Bensalem contract issues with those in other districts.

"While all school districts have similar challenges, we also have our own unique situations. I will not compare our situation to that of another district," she said. "I am not concerned with the fact that our teachers have been working without a contract. There have been unforeseen circumstances that have caused delays. Our teachers are, and always have been, very professional."

District officials previously said contract talks had been delayed last year because of a health issue involving a negotiator.

Many attempts by Patch over the last year to get comment from the BTEA have been unsuccessful. Priscilla Reardon is the president of the BTEA.

The last contract was a five-year deal which granted annual 3-percent pay increases, according to district business director Jack Myers. Myers said there is no pay increase for teachers included in the preliminary 2012-2103 draft budget.

Health care premiums have been a stumbling block in Neshaminy. Teachers there have have not had any co-pays and have said they would pay 8 percent, but the district wants 15 percent, according to media reports.

Bensalem teachers have been paying 10 percent of their premiums, up to a maximum of $2,200 per year, according to district officials. Their prescription drug coverage plan has required a $5 co-pay for generic medications and co-pays of $20 to $35 for brand name drugs.

BTEA members who opted out of the health plan have received payments of $100 a month if they were entitled to single coverage or $300 a month if they had a family plan.

The salaries in the Bensalem and Neshaminy districts are very close, each averaging about $78,000 in 2009-2010.

In addition to teachers, the BTEA represents nurses and guidance counselors.

"I will tell you we are negotiating for the day after settlement. We believe BTEA is as well," said Baugh. "All of us recognize the core mission has to be to educate our kids to the highest levels and that these are really tough times for everyone."