Custodial staff in District 241 have tentatively accepted a settlement offer from the district.

Wednesday, February 20, 2002

Custodial staff in District 241 have tentatively accepted a settlement offer from the district. The agreement, if signed by the employees involved, contains provisions very similar to the settlement reached earlier this month with district support staff, said Mark Stotts, director of finances and operations.

The school board heard the news at its meeting last night, along with a report that the teachers and district negotiators are scheduled for mediation on March 13, in the board room at Brookside Education Center. Stotts also reported that he expects the negotiations with non-licensed staff to move quickly.

Even though the two-year contract period began at the end of last summer, the district has only been able to settle with one of the bargaining units representing district employees. Normally, all contracts would have to be settled by Jan. 15, but since the legislature was late in deciding on school revenue for this biennium, the deadline was waived.

The settlement with support staff earlier this month provides a 2.5 percent increase for the first year and a 1.5 percent increase in the second year of the contract.

In other business, the board:

– Approved a structural balance agreement for the state. These reports are required by the state, said Stotts, to provide a guarantee that the district can afford the salary and benefits settlements they make with their employees. According to state law, the district must demonstrate that they can afford an agreement for both years of the contract and would remain solvent one year beyond.

– Heard from Stotts that the income from investments in December was down, due to the weakness in the economy. No major changes in investment policies are anticipated.

– Received awards from the United Way for the participation of the district and its employees in the 2001 Fund Drive. Among other awards, District 241 was also recognized for having the second highest participation rate among employees.