Brandon Twp.- The school board has approved a 1-percent salary increase for all Brandon Education Association members for this school year.
BEA membership includes all district teachers, as well as psychologists and social workers.
‘I thought this was very positive with the economy the way it is, and with the district losing 92 students, it was probably the best the district could offer, given the times we’re in right now,? said BEA President Steve Hendershott. ‘The teachers recognize times are tough right now and we certainly didn’t want to put (the district) in a bind by asking or demanding more. By negotiating with Lorrie McMahon and the rest of her team, we determined this is the best we could get and the best for Brandon Schools and for Brandon kids.?
McMahon, Brandon Schools superintendent, also said she felt ‘very positive? about the salary increase.
‘This gives the district the opportunity to move forward and focus on instructional issues that are impacted by finances,? she said.
Like school districts across the state, Brandon is struggling to balance a budget strained by higher costs and less revenue.
Although the district is expecting a state foundation allowance increase of $112 per student (currently Brandon receives $7,316 per student), a state-wide count last month revealed Brandon has 92 fewer students this year, meaning a loss of $673,072 in revenue.
The school board approved a 2008-09 budget in June that had nearly $1 million in cuts, including the school liaison officer position, and six kindergarten parapros.
Hendershott said having the necessary parapros to accentuate learning is one of the concerns the union wants to address when new contract negotiations commence later this month. Other concerns include class sizes and supplies and training for teachers with new technology and graduation requirements.
‘Negotiations will be an ongoing process because of the high school changing from semesters to trimesters this year and because of the amount of language that has to change in the current contract,? Hendershott said. ‘There is a difference in the time kids have to be in class and new laws mandating all-day kindergarten. We have to work with the district and they have to work with us for the betterment of Brandon kids and employees.?