Pay Freeze Possible for School District Employees

All Saucon Valley School District employees have been asked to accept a one-year pay freeze for the 2012-2013 school year.

At the May 24 Saucon Valley School Board meeting, board president Lachlan Peeke announced that a letter asking for support of the freeze was sent to all employee groups April 29. The freeze would amount to a one-year extension of existing contracts or agreements, with a zero increase in salary or hourly wage.

The administration, including superintendent Sandra Fellin, assistant superintendant Carl Atkinson and business manager David Bonenberger, have all agreed to the pay freeze along with all principals, vice principals, clerical workers and cafeteria workers.

Educational assistants, custodial workers, maintenance workers, bus drivers and teachers have not yet agreed to the pay freeze.

Meetings have been held with representatives from each group of employees to answer any and all questions they may have.

Additional meetings are currently scheduled with the groups that have not yet decided if they will support the pay freeze.

The school board has previously set aside revenues in anticipation of the impact of the poor economy, the anticipated Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) contribution increases, increasing health and operations costs and the uncertainty of funding from the federal and state governments.

Peeke said that due to these ongoing costs and reduced revenues for the district, "it is anticipated that the continuation of the set aside will cease in fiscal (year) 2011-2012."

Peeke said there should be an answer from each group of employees by the next school board meeting on June 14.