The Central Bucks School District’s school board and the teacher’s union reached an agreement that includes pay hikes and changes to health care coverage, the district recently announced.
The six-year contract covers more than 1,300 teachers and is two years longer than previous agreements. Negotiations, which lasted about five months, were described as “positive and proactive,” by both sides, according to a district statement.
The terms of the contract include:
– A pay increase of “at least” 2.66% in the first year of the contract and increases of 2.03% in each of the last two years of the contract. Raises for individual teachers could be higher depending on various factors.
– The minimum starting salary will increase to $49,730 in 2022-2023, from $47,000 in current year.
– The top pay rate for 2022-23 will be $116,586, rising to $126,837 in 2027-28. That compares to $114,863 in current year.
– Teachers contributions to health care will increase, but a PeopleOne no-copay partnership with a local physician’s clinic that provides “everyday, preventive risk management care” was added, the statement said.
– The agreement also includes the district’s first Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and improvements to the teachers’ dental plan.
– Tuition reimbursement and retirement incentives are part of the pact.
– Teachers will receive a per-diem rate for work during the summer rather than paid time off during the school year.
The education association’s president, Bill Senavaitis, said, in a release, “CBEA is proud of our new contract that will help to recruit and retain excellent professionals.” The agreement, he added, “shows that when the administration, the school board and our union collaborate, we can move the needle for all CB stakeholders.”
The district’s superintendent, Abram Lucabaugh, called the deal “exceptional for both sides and a testament to the process,” adding, it “reflects the culture of trust that has developed over the years.”
