PCHS approves one-year teacher contract; 50¢/hour raise for non-certified staff
The PCHS Board of Education approved a one-year contract with the Pinckneyville Community High School Education Association, which represents the teachers at the school.
The new contract provides only a step raise of $720 to $730 for instructors, depending on their level of education. A special clause was added so that all teachers will receive the step raise. The Education Association agreed to freeze extracurricular stipends at the same level as last year.
This was the first time in recent memory the administration and faculty sat down at the bargaining table without legal representation.
PCHSEA President Cheryl Clark said she met frequently with Superintendent Keith Hagene throughout the year to prepare for negotiations.
Hagene was particularly pleased with how well the bargaining unit had educated themselves on school financing.
The negotiations went very smoothly, taking only one evening. The administration, school board and faculty bargaining committee were all pleased with the result.
"We all know each other outside of school," Clark said. "The negotiations were friendlier this year. There were disagreements, but they were civil. We all want what's best for the school."
Hagene and Principal Dustin Foutch agreed to freeze their own salaries, as well.
"We'll catch up some day," Hagene said of the administration salary freezes. "The financial situation is serious. We're trying to keep as many people employed as possible."
In other business, the board:
• approved a $.50 per hour raise for non-certified staff for the coming school year.
• agreed to post the positions of Event Supervisor, Tournament Coordinator, Asst. Volleyball Coach and Head Softball Coach.
• accepted the resignations of Heather Hagood as Asst. Volleyball Coach, Mike Cheek as Head Softball Coach and Emily Van Atta as EOC Aide and Asst. Volleyball Coach.
• hired Rob Kirk and EOC Aide/Health/Physical Education and Driver Education instructor.
• hired Mark Bullock , Greg Zmudzinski, Rob Kirk and Tyler Bullock as Asst. Football Coaches.
• approved a five-year extension to the current contract with Pepsi in exchange for a one-time $30,000 contribution toward the purchase of a new Nevco LED message board to be placed along Water Street/Route 154.
• heard from Supt. Hagene that the tax levy extension for the 2013-14 school year request was $2,082,263. The district will receive $2,056,047.
• awarded the bread bids to Earthgrians, Sara Lee, milk bids to Chester Dairy and custodial supply bid to HP Products for the 2013-2014 school year.