KPBSD School Distrct turns down the association’s “supposals”
The Kenai Peninsula Education Association which represents over 700 certified teachers and the Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association which represents approximately 525 classified personnel in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District have failed to come to an agreement with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in settling their negotiated agreements which expired June 30.
The team representing both associations met with the district Sept. 19 in a final attempt to reach an agreement prior to arbitration which was scheduled for Oct. 1, 2 and 5.
The associations presented the district with a “supposal” which was a verbal offer of a two-year agreement. The two-year agreement outlined the salary and health care benefits the associations are proposing and agreed to return most of the language in the remaining sections to either status quo or the district’s last best offer.
The associations are asking for a salary increase aligned with the Consumer Price Index or CPI. In year one (2012-13) it would be a 2.8 percent increase, while in year two (2013-14) it would be a 2.5 percent increase. In healthcare the employees are asking the district to pay 85 percent of the cost based on the current amount of 1,455 (per employee, per month) and the employees pay 15 percent.
“The associations’ proposal in these two years is approximately 1.5 million dollars less than the amount the district was proposing in their last best offer last spring,” said KPEA President LaDawn Druce.