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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Since You Asked: Fishing with drones a no-go in Oregon ... Donald Trump brings his campaign to Eugene ... ScienceWorks' executive director gets new job in Pittsburgh ... Since You Asked: Fishing with drones a no-go in Oregon ... Donald Trump brings his campaign to Eugene ... ScienceWorks' executive director gets new job in Pittsburgh ... MEDFORD SCHOOLS Medford School District, teachers agree on 1-year contract Comment Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Follow @@teresathomas_MT MailTribune.com Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Follow @@teresathomas_MT Posted May. 5, 2016 at 2:45 PM Updated May 5, 2016 at 5:42 PM Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Follow @@teresathomas_MT Posted May. 5, 2016 at 2:45 PM Updated May 5, 2016 at 5:42 PM » Social News The Medford School District and its teachers union reached a tentative agreement Wednesday night on a one-year contract with a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment and no other changes. Wednesday’s meeting was the second negotiation session between the district and Medford Education Association. At the previous session, teachers had requested a one-year contract with a 3.8 percent COLA, while the district had offered a three-year contract with a 3 percent COLA distributed over three years. The proposals included other language changes as well. However, both bargaining teams have since struck a compromise, which the MEA will present to teachers next week for ratification and the School Board will vote on during its next meeting, Monday. “As soon as both parties have ratified it, it goes into effect,” said Board Chairman Jeff Thomas. “I’m excited and pleased with the outcome of the negotiations,” he added. “Having it completed before the end of the school year allows there to be stability for staff and families going into the next school year. It also gives the district the opportunity to collaborate with the MEA as it looks at forecasts for the next biennium of education funding.” If ratified, the new contract for teachers will go into effect July 1, 2016, and run through June 30, 2017. Under the new contract, first-year teachers with a bachelor’s degree will make $37,302, while a teacher with 14 years of experience and a master’s degree will make $72,272 — that’s up from $36,392 and $70,510 this year. The 2.5 percent COLA is expected to cost the district $1.25 million next year. The district budgeted for a 2 percent or $1 million COLA and will take the balance out of its reserves, said Chief Operations Officer Brad Earl. MEA President Dan Jones said both sides moved a little in order to come to a tentative agreement. Although the district had initially proposed a three-year contract, the union wanted a one-year contract. “Without knowing the financial forecast or knowing the circumstances, it’s hard to plan that far ahead,” Jones said. In the end, both bargaining units were pleased with the outcome. “We’re just excited to continue working with the district on a positive note,” Jones said. Reach education reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt . Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Follow @@teresathomas_MT MailTribune.com Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Follow @@teresathomas_MT Posted May. 5, 2016 at 2:45 PM Updated May 5, 2016 at 5:42 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501