Goodrich- At long last, it’s over.
After years of turmoil fueling division in the community, the teachers and school officials have come to an agreement regarding contracts.
Board of Education President Michael Tripp announced on June 11 a tentative agreement had been reached. That agreement was accepted by the Goodrich Education Association following a vote on June 15. The school board followed suit, unanimously accepting the three-year contract proposal during their June 18 meeting.
‘Both sides worked very hard to compromise and come up with something we thought was fair to everyone concerned? which included the community and students and both sides that were bargaining,? said Michigan Education Association Representative Dianne Bregenzer.
Superintendent Kimberly Hart described the bargaining process as being congenial on both sides.
During the meeting, Hart read a statement on behalf of the Goodrich Area Schools Board of Education and the Goodrich Education Association, adding that no further comment would be given to the media.
According to the statement: ‘The pact call for a two percent increase in salary for each of the (three) years and a modification of the health insurance plan.
Bregenzer said the recent involvement of a mediator gave the process a jump start.
‘What mediators can do that people have trouble doing that have been at it for a year is focus solely on the heart of the issue,? said Bregenzer. ‘We were both (union and school officials) ready to be there, we both wanted to be there, it was just helpful to have someone lead you there.?
‘I think we all just feel good about it,? said Bregenzer.
One sticking point in negotiations was whether teachers would retain their MESSA health care coverage. Ultimately, they retained MESSA coverage but took a lesser policy with the provider.
According to the statement ‘The health care coverage will now be with the MESSA CHOICES II plan as opposed to the more expensive MESSA Super Care I plan. While there will be saving to the district because of the reduced health care premiums, CHOICES II is a widely accepted and comprehensive health care plan.?
Additionally, ‘in the third year of the agreement employees will participate in the premium cost of health insurance through payroll deduction,? according to the document.
Bregenzer said health coverage is of paramount importance to teachers.
‘It’s one of the reasons teachers stay or go into what they do? because they have good benefits,? said Bregenzer.
Bregenzer added she has withdrawn charges of unfair labor practices that had been filed against the district.
Though the issue spawned a rift in the district for some time, Bregenzer said she believes both parties will be able to resume working together with no residual animosity.
‘The contract agreement represents a conclusion of negotiations which involved a great deal of effort and hard work by everyone involved. The agreement is fair and a win-win for all the parties given the current climate in the state of Michigan,? said Board President Michael Tripp.
Issues had been ongoing in the district, with disputes ranging from the proposed school calendar to the concerns over health care benefits, leaving the school on the MEA’s critical list since 2005. Teachers and support staff have been operating without a contract since July 31, 2006.
Bregenzer said bargaining is still ongoing for the support staff.