ALBANY, N.Y. (May 2, 2011)
-- The City School District of Albany and its teachers' union agreed May
2 on a landmark five-year contract that will avoid teacher layoffs,
eliminate the tax-levy increase and provide more time for students.
District and union leaders hailed the agreement as a major
collaborative effort that puts students first and recognizes the
financial pressures facing the school district and the city.
The Albany
Public School Teachers Association ratified the contract during the day
and the Board of Education followed with unanimous approval. The
contract, which takes effect July 1, includes a pay freeze during the
2011-12 school year.
“We deeply
appreciate our teachers doing what is best
for our students and our community,” said board President Daniel Egan.
“We know that they have made major sacrifices to get us to this
important day. The teamwork between the union and the superintendent has
been inspiring. The Board of Education is grateful for these significant
contributions in these tough economic times.”
The
pay freeze for 2011-12 will mean $2 million in savings that will allow
the district to eliminate the tax-levy increase in the $206.5 million
budget proposal voters will consider May 17. The budget proposal, which
the board approved April 12, originally included a 1.7 percent tax-levy
increase. The district also has agreed to avoid teacher layoffs for
2011-12.
“We are
doing what’s right for our students as always,” said APSTA President
Cathy Corbo. “Sacrifice is difficult, but together we keep working to
overcome the dual burden of too little state aid and too many charter
schools. This agreement is another step in keeping a stable workforce
and manageable class sizes.”
The contract
includes five additional work days for teachers – two in the classroom
and three for professional development that will be used for projects
such as teacher training, parent outreach and data assessment,
Corbo said.
Contributions
to retiree health benefits also were an important component of the
negotiations. Retiring teachers currently have no contributions for
health coverage. The new contract includes a 5 percent annual
contribution for teachers retiring in the fourth year and a 15 percent
annual contribution for teachers retiring in the fifth and final year.
Superintendent Raymond Colucciello, Ed.D., praised the teachers for
their dedication to the students, and for their willingness to sacrifice
in the face of numerous financial pressures, including declining state
aid and increases in salaries, benefits and charter-school payments.
“This is a defining moment for our school district,” Dr. Colucciello
said. “These challenging times called for new solutions, and our
teachers worked with us willingly to help do what is best for everyone.
Just like our administrators last year, they have sacrificed for our
students and we thank them for that.”
All
members of the Albany Public School Administrators Association accepted
a pay freeze for the current school year that saved the district about
$250,000. Dr. Colucciello also has agreed to a salary freeze for
2011-12, the third consecutive year his salary remains at the same level
with no benefits.
As the
district worked through the winter to close a projected 2011-12 budget
deficit of more than $10 million, the board asked all employees to
accept pay freezes for next year. Following agreement with the teachers,
the district will continue to negotiate with the unions
representing administrators and non-instructional
staff.
“I
applaud the members of APSTA for their willingness to share in the
fiscal pain that is currently being borne by many members of the public
sector,” said Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings. “As each of us is being
asked to do more with less and to continually seek greater efficiencies
in the delivery of services, Albany teachers have demonstrated that
they, too, recognize the need to do so. The city’s taxpayers win,
teachers will be rehired and, ultimately, the most important resource –
our students – will not be penalized.”
The mission of the City School District of
Albany is to educate and nurture all students to be
responsible citizens, critical thinkers and lifelong learners to
successfully compete in the global community by providing an
academically rigorous and safe environment in partnership with parents,
students and the community. The district serves 8,600 students in 15
elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood
schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as
well as other innovative academic opportunities for students.
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