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ESD, teacher reps OK salary accord By Tony Boom Board members and teachers� representatives of the Jackson Education Service District have reached a contract settlement pending ratification votes by both groups. The tentative agreement was set at a mediation session Monday. Under the agreement, all teachers will receive a 2 percent increase to their base salary during each of the contract�s three years. In addition, teachers who haven�t reached the top of the 20-step pay scale also receive a 3.35 percent increase. "We will leave it up to our memberships to decide whether or not it�s an acceptable contract," said Mike McEachern, of the Southern Oregon Bargaining Council, which represents the teachers. "Right now I have no idea how they will react to this." McEachern said he expected the vote to come after the holidays. It would be tabulated prior to the ESD board meeting on Jan. 17, 2001. The teachers have worked without a contract since July 1. ESD Superintendent Joe Crowder said he believes the contract will please both sides. "That was our bottom line without making program or staff changes. That�s what we could do," he said. "I anticipate they will ratify the contract and that our board will also." Under the agreement, the district will increase its monthly contribution for health care by 12 percent. The district had previously paid $452 for dental, medical and vision coverage per employee each month. It will now pay $508. There will be an 8 percent increase for health coverage in each of the three years. Under another provision, a district early retirement option will no longer be available to anyone hired after Jan. 1, 2001. Long-term forecasting showed the early retirement plan would cost more than the district anticipated when it was established, said Crowder. In its place, pre-tax medical and day-care options will be available. About 100 ESD employees are covered by the contract. They work in Douglas, Klamath, Jackson, Josephine and Lake counties to provide services to students who have mental and physical disabilities or impairments. The teachers are members of the Oregon Education Association. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.