School board, union agree on new deal

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REGION 16 — The Region 16 Board of Education and the union that represents non-certified staff have agreed to a new, three-year contract.

The board, which oversees schools in Beacon Falls and Prospect, last week approved the contract with the United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU), Local 424-Unit 46.

“I think it’s a good contract, and I’d recommend the board approve it,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Yamin prior the school board unanimously approving the deal.

The contract runs from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020. The union represents about 125 employees, including secretaries, paraprofessionals, nurses, custodians, food service workers, maintenance workers, hall monitors and technical support technicians.

The contract changes the salary structure for employees. Wages vary depending on the position. Director of Finance and Business Operations Pamela Mangini said the current contract has six steps before an employee can reach the maximum salary for their position. The new contract removes one step, so there will only be five steps.

Mangini said the contract increases base wages by 1.23 percent, not including step increases. Employees who are already at the maximum step will receive an additional 1.25 percent increase, she said.

The salary increases are estimated to cost the district about $110,000 in the first and third years of the contract and about $80,000 in the second year, Mangini said.

While salaries are increasing, how much employees pay for their health care will go up, too.

The contract increases the health care cost for employees in each year of the deal. Employees are now paying 18.5 percent of the cost while the district pays the rest, Mangini said. Employees will pay 20 percent in 2017-18, 21 percent in 2018-19, and 22 percent in 2019-20, according to the contract. Co-pays will also increase in the contract.