The Manhasset Union Free School District has agreed to new collective bargaining agreements with each of the district’s units. The board of education, district administration, and each of the units worked cooperatively to reach agreement prior to the board of education’s adoption of a proposed budget for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year.
The Manhasset Education Association (MEA), the unit representing the district’s teachers, agreed to a new two-year agreement that will generate savings for the district of $550,000 over the two years. The new agreement is responsive to budget pressures on multiple fronts that include financial impacts of the Common Core curriculum, increased enrollment and the significant restrictions resulting from imposition of the tax levy cap. The timing of the agreement enables the superintendent to recommend a budget that meets the restrictions of the tax levy cap and restores some reductions that were made as a result of the 2013-2014 budget re-vote.
The new agreement includes no salary increase (0 percent) in the first year and a 1 percent salary increase in the second year. Teachers entitled to annual increment increases, also known as ‘step’ increases, will earn the increased increment on a deferred basis for only the second half of each year of the contract. Teachers not entitled to an increase in annual increment will receive a one-time, off-schedule payment of $1,000 in the first year of the agreement. The teachers will continue to contribute 22 percent of their health care premiums, which is among the highest contribution percentages for Long Island’s public schools.
In addition to limiting salary increases, cost savings under the new agreement will be generated from three areas: (1) limits on increases in salary because of a moratorium in the 2015-2016 school year on any salary increase for additional coursework, (2) reductions in the district’s payments to the MEA Benefits Trust Fund, and (3) a new teacher salary schedule bridge.
The new teacher salary schedule bridge is of particular note. Beginning in 2014-2015, new teachers will be placed on Masters degree Step 1, at a salary of $64,115, which is $10,000 lower than the existing salary. Masters degree Step 2 is $7,743 lower than the existing salary. Masters Step 3 is $4,496 lower than the existing salary. In addition, new teachers will not be permitted to receive increases in salary when they complete additional coursework until after the completion of their fourth year of employment. Because of these changes, the new teacher salary schedule bridge generates significant savings for the District in 2014-2015 and into the future.
Ed Vasta, president of the MEA, stated, “The recent modest contract settlement is one that is fair to teachers while acknowledging the dire impact of the financial constraints of the tax cap on the Manhasset school system.”
In three of the last four years, the Manhasset Administrators and Supervisors Association (MASA), the unit representing the district’s 15 principals, assistant principals, coordinators, directors and assistant directors, has modified or forfeited contractual salary increases in recognition of the implications of the tax cap; the unit has had less than a 1 percent average raise over the past 4 years. The new one year agreement provides a fixed dollar amount increase which equates to 2.5 percent of the unit’s compensation.
Ray Scacalossi, president of MASA, stated, “The MASA contract negotiated for 2014-2015 reflects a fair settlement for the fifteen administrators whose work is essential to providing a quality education for all students in the Manhasset Public Schools.”
The new two-year agreement with Manhasset Educational Support Personnel Association (MESPA), the unit representing the teacher assistants, supervisory aides, cleaners, maintainers, groundskeepers, clerical and other support personnel, includes a 1 percent salary increase in each year. Personnel entitled to annual increment increases, also known as ‘longevity’ increases, will earn the increased longevity on a deferred basis for only the second half of each year of the contract. In addition, contributions to healthcare premiums will increase 1percent in the second year of the agreement to 12 percent, and new hires will contribute 16 percent in the first year and 17 percent in the second year of the agreement.
Fran Shackel, president of the MESPA, stated, “The Manhasset Educational Support Personnel Association is pleased that the Memorandum of Agreement, voted on by membership on Friday, March 7, was approved. The negotiating team attended numerous meetings with the District to exchange and discuss proposals. Both sides met in good faith and diligently worked together to come to an agreement on the contract.”
Manhasset Board of Education President, Regina Rule, said, “These timely settlements are a result of an invaluable collaborative spirit as members across the District teams work together toward Manhasset’s common goal: what is best for students. I am most grateful to our Superintendent Charlie Cardillo and to our unit leadership teams led by Ed Vasta, Ray Scacalossi and Fran Shackel for being united with us in the ongoing pursuit of educational excellence and for working together with us as the Manhasset School District strives to weather the external storms impacting public education. The support of these agreements enables the District to continue to strive to meet the needs of all our students and our taxpayers. Our students win thanks to this effective, dedicated Manhasset team.”
Further details on the new agreements can be found on the district’s website: www.manhasset.k12.ny.us.
— Submitted by Manhasset School District
