AEA-ASD Contract Negotiations

Incorrect.  The district modified the original agreement (from May) to accommodate the union’s interest in salary increases and a bonus for all teachers at the top of the salary schedule.  Some, but not all of the cost of these increases were covered by maintaining the current number of leave days; the original proposal included an increase in personal leave.  In addition, the tentative agreement which teachers will vote on Wednesday includes additional planning time for elementary teachers which costs the district an estimated $2 million.

Incorrect.  The district does not control the teachers’ insurance program. It is controlled by their union.  The union has told teachers that in the first year they will pay less out of pocket than they do now.  The union has also said that it anticipates premiums may increase by the third year, but teachers will still play less out-of-pocket than they do today.

Incorrect.  The district will fund the additional planning time that occurs in the second and third year of the contract by hiring additional staff.  This does not reduce leave, salary or medical coverage for teachers.  The first proposal included $2 million in additional planning time.  The district increased this to $4 million in the current proposal, and increased salaries.

In 2000, the district and union agreed the contract settlement made up for freezes during the 1990s.  Both sides agreed on a new salary schedule structure to accomplish this goal.  Teachers were placed on that new salary schedule and salary increases ranged from 5% to 10% for the first year.  Every year since 2000 teachers have received salary schedule increases as well as step/experience increases.

Incorrect.  Teachers’ pay increase outpaces the latest inflation rate of 4.2% reported in the Anchorage Daily News.  The formula for cost-of-living includes health care.  The 3% salary schedule increase in the first year plus the increase in the health insurance contribution yields a 4.2% increase for the highest paid teacher. The percentage is greater for individuals at the lower end of the schedule (5.5% for beginning teachers). In addition, teachers also receive a step or experience increase, which is roughly 2% per year (or a $1,000 "bonus" for those at the top of the schedule without access to step movement).

Incorrect.  The percentage spent on teachers has actually increased.