Jeffco Schools, teachers association reach 2-year deal on pay

JEFFERSON COUNTY – Jeffco Public Schools and the Jefferson County Education Association reached a tentative two-year agreement on pay and pension economic items that includes no cost-of-living pay raises during contract negotiations, both sides announced Wednesday.

“Our negotiating teams recognized the tough economic conditions facing the state and the district; this settlement honors our employees, but at the same time reflects our fiscal reality,” said Jeffco Schools’ Superintendent Cindy Stevenson.

The agreement includes “step” increases based on years of service as well a “level” increases based on education credits earned by teachers. The step increases will become effective Sept. 1, if the contract is approved. Pay increases based on education credits would become effective as the credits are earned during the school year, according to the announcement.

In the contract’s second year, 2011, steps will be frozen, but teachers would get the level increases.

The remainder of the four-year contract is in effect until August 31, 2011. The contract must be approved by the Jefferson County Board of Education and ratified by JCEA members

There will be no cost of living increases in either year and the district will not increase the amount it pays for benefits. But the district will pay the increased PERA (Public Employees’ Retirement Association) contribution for all employees. The PERA formula was changed by the legislature this year. The district’s increased PERA funding amounts to a .90 percent increase in the district’s current contribution.

“Jeffco teachers understand the economic realities both our school district and the state face, but we remain committed to the goal of providing great public schools for every child,” said JCEA President, Kerrie Dallman.

“However, we are very concerned about how Jeffco Schools will be able to achieve that goal given the reality of inadequate state and local funding, on-going budget cuts, and the failure to reasonably compensate teachers commensurate with their responsibilities and contributions to society,” Dallman said.

The district also reached a tentative settlement with the Classified School Employees’ Association (CSEA), which in part, mirrors the agreement with JCEA. Classified employees will receive step increases in the first year and none in the second year. The district’s administrative staff, who are not on a salary schedule and therefore not eligible for step increases, will receive a compensation package equivalent to that agreed to with the other employee groups.

The district estimates it would save about $11.3 million by eliminating step increases for JCEA and CSEA as well as salary increases for administrators in the second year of the contract.