School Board Unanimously Approves Teacher Contract

School Board Unanimously Approves Teacher Contract 
May 18, 2015

The Mt. Lebanon School Board unanimously approved the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Mt. Lebanon Education Association at the May 18, 2015 School Board meeting. This is a three year extension of the current contract covering July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018. In his remarks, School Board President Lawrence Lebowitz stated, "I am very pleased that we have a new three-year extension of our Collective Bargaining Agreement with the MLEA. This new Agreement is a "win-win-win" for the District, for the teachers and, most importantly, for our children. This is truly the essence of bargaining and reflective of the excellent working relationship which the District and the School Board has had and is proud to have with our teachers."

The highlights of the Agreement are as follows:

• This is a three-year agreement.

• The is a reduction of workdays from 197.5 to 195 but student days remains the same. There is no loss of student/teacher contact time.

• The reduction of workdays represents eight flex hours, one classroom management day and a four-hour evening activity each year through the term of the contract.

• The tentative Agreement adds no new money to the salary schedule utilized under the previous Agreement other than a small increase for the top step. The only additional funds are for those people on the top step, at the top of the salary scale, amounting to $400 in the first year, $700 in the second year and $900 in the third year, respectively.

• The overall increase for the entire term of the Agreement is 3.38%.

• There is an increase in health care contributions from the teachers including an increase in "caps," i.e., the maximum amount a teacher would be required to pay on a monthly basis.

• Based on an increase in salary for those at the top of the scale and the decrease in employer health care cost, the net increase to the District for the contract term is 3.17%.

• There will also be no increase in any other economic terms including EDR (Extra Duty Remuneration) rates as well as payments to teachers for additional work, e.g., lunch duty, playground, summer workshops, etc.

• There will be no loss of professional development time for teachers.

Update May 23, 2015 1:37 PM The Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Mt. Lebanon School District and the Mt. Lebanon Education Association effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018 

Final Budget, Change Orders, MLEA Contract Extension Discussion Tomorrow UPDATED

The Agenda for the May 11, 2015 School Board meeting includes:

Approval of 2015-2016 Budget – The final budget for the 2015-2016 School year will be discussed with the Board. Final approval will be at the May 17, 2015 meeting.

Change orders for May 2015:

Change Orders for High School Renovation Project – The change orders for this month total $97,020 from the contingency and $6,620 from insurance claims as follows:  

a. GC-113-279 to Nello for $93,720 for masonry, steel, elevator issues, ceiling and duct work, walls, concrete and curbs,
b. FP-07-280 to Simplex for $3,300 for sprinklers, and
c. IN-13-15 to Nello for $6,620 for weather damage repairs.
The superintendent recommends approval of these change orders

MLEA Contract Extension – The Board will discuss a proposed 3-year collective bargaining agreement with the Mt. Lebanon Education Association.

Update May 12, 2015 6:15 PM
Mt. Lebanon school board announces pact with teachers

The extension calls for salary increases to remain the same as in the current contract, with the exception of teachers at the top seniority step. 

In addition to the already-negotiated increase, teachers will receive an extra $400 the first year, $700 the second year and $900 the third year. 

The extension also calls for increased contributions for health care. Taking those into account, the net additional cost to the district is 3.179 percent, said Lawrence Lebowitz, school board president.  

While the extension reduces the annual number of work days for teachers, from 197.5 to 195, the number of days with students does not change, he said.

Mt. Lebanon SB plans Monday vote on new teacher contract

With most of the language identical to the five-year agreement expiring June 30, the new contract with the Mt. Lebanon Education Association would not include any increases in salaries along the 16 and a half “steps” each teacher follows up the pay scale as he or she gains seniority, except for an increase at the top level of $400 the first year of the contract, $700 the second year and $900 the third year, said Board President Larry Lebowitz.

Mt. Lebanon school board to OK budget, teacher contract

The Mt. Lebanon school board indicated at its May 11 discussion meeting that the board will likely approve a $91 million 2015-16 budget with a .40 millage increase, or $40 more in taxes for a property valued at $100,000. The board also indicated it would approve a new three-year teachers contract at its May 18 voting meeting.