Teachers and school employees accepted a pay freeze in their new contract, including steps ? it was approved by Clarkston Board of Education last Friday.
The one-year, 2011-2012 fiscal year contracts are for Clarkston Education Association, Clarkston Office Personnel Association, and Clarkston Paraeducator Association. They also change insurance to a PPO Health Plan, costing the district $3 million less.
The school board voted 4-3 in a special meeting, April 15. Board President Steve Hyer, and trustees Barry Bomier, Elizabeth Egan, and Cheryl McGinnis voted in favor.
Board Treasurer Rosalie Lieblang, Vice President Susan Boatman and Trustee Joan Patterson voted “no,” saying they wanted to see the entire contracts before voting on them. Instead, they received an eight-page document listing changes made in the contracts for the three employee groups.
‘I would like to see the changes made and the contract posted on the website,? said Lieblang. ‘I don’t want to vote on something when not able to see it in complete form. My perspective is we should be seeing the final version.?
McGinnis and Bomier agreed the process needs improvement, but Friday evening wasn’t the time to do it.
‘We have every contract available to us to access and that has been out there for a long time,? said Bomier. ‘We have changes in front of us to approve. Here are the changes and you have access to the contracts.?
Human Resources Director Anita Banach said she provided information as had been done in the past, and didn’t know the board wanted the complete contracts for the special meeting. She added if the board wants to see the entire contracts with the changes, it wouldn’t be a problem, but would take some time.
That shouldn’t be necessary, Bomier said.
‘We have talked about the contract for weeks and months,? he said. ‘I think the administrative team has done a great job. We gave them a time frame and they stuck with it.?