Released: Fact-Finder's Report on Teacher Contract Impasse

• Require employees to work an additional sixteen (16) flexible hours for district directed activities involving professional development, group meetings and similar professional experiences. The work would be performed in two (2) hour increments eight (8) times a year. Employees would be given thirty days notice of the activity from the administration so that they can make appropriate arrangements
• Reduce the number of days in the school year from 192 to 190.
• Employees retiring effective June 30, 2014 would receive health care benefits as provided under their 2008-2012 collective bargaining agreement. Effective for all retirements of bargaining unit members after July 1, 2014, the district shall pay $800/month for health care insurance contingent upon the employee moving to the PSERS Health Options Plan or other private insurance plan. Effective June 29, 2016, the amount that the district shall pay toward the health insurance for retirements of bargaining unit members after June 30, 2016 shall be $500/month contingent upon the employee moving to a PSERS Health Options Plan or other private insurance plan. Payment of the above stated monthly amount will continue until the retiree reaches the age of 65 or for a maximum of seven years following the date of retirement, whichever is sooner, for each bargaining until member who meets the eligibility requirement below.
  

The Express-Times reported that the recommendations also included a one-year pay freeze for teachers, full reimbursement for the cost of approved graduate courses taken by teachers, health care contribution increases of $10 to $75 per month, annual raises of about 2.5 percent and a one-time bonus payment of $1,500 for all teachers next year.

The proposals, if accepted, would be retroactive to the 2012-2013 school year, the newspaper also reported.

Saucon teachers have been working without a contract since June 30, 2012, and negotiations between the district and teachers have been ongoing since January 2012.

Fact-finder Rochelle K. Kaplan, Esq. concluded her report—dated Oct. 28, 2013—with a statement that her "recommendations attempted to reflect financial realities and balance the competing goals of each party."

"The fact-finder is impressed with the professionalism of the parties and their candor in presenting their respective positions before, during, and after the fact-finding hearing," she added. "Whether both parties accept this report, the fact-finder hopes that the report can be used as a foundation for a final settlement."

Now that the fact-finder's report is public, teachers have 10 days to reconsider the recommendations, vote to approve them, or resume negotiations with the district.