The Plymouth School Board handled a number of agenda items during their regular meeting on October 7.
The Board members present voted unanimously to ratify the Master Contract with the teaching staff. The contract includes raises for teachers ranging from 1.2 percent to 2.7 percent. Additional terms include a new dental insurance plan that now includes orthodontics. According to Superintendent Daniel Tyree, they also added a few extra-curricular positions primarily for supervision.
Board members Larry Holloway and Melissa Christiansen were absent from the meeting.
PEA (Plymouth Education Association) President, Laura Kryer was a part of the negotiating committee. Kryer said, “Both parties were disappointed that we were unable to have a fully funded model and give teachers the raises they deserve.” She added, “At the same time, we are grateful that Plymouth is in a better financial situation than several surrounding districts.”
Kryer continued saying, “The issue continues to be decisions that are being made at the State House that are having negative impacts on the funding for public education.”
In other matters, the Board voted unanimously to increase the daily pay rate for substitute teachers. Tyree explained that four of the substitutes that worked for PCSC last year are now in teaching positions or have retired, leaving the need for more substitutes. Tyree said that the pay rate that was in place was less than some surrounding school corporations and he felt an increase could attract other qualified candidates. The all-day rate was increased for those with a BA degree from $78 per day to $80 per day. Those substituting without a degree will now receive $76 per day, up from $74. The half-day rate is now $50 for those with or without degrees. Previously the pay rate ranged from $36-$39.
The Board unanimously adopted the 2015 Budgets and Resolutions, Capital Projects Plan and the Bus Replacement Plan.
The Bus Replacement Plan includes $242,000. The plan calls for replacing three buses on a 12-year replacement cycle.
The Board also changed the way that bus drivers are paid. Speaking in favor of changing the bus driver contract was Transportation Director Dave Schoof. Schoof said, “We have four open routes and could use 10 substitutes, if we could find them.” He went on to explain that drivers have been paid only from the time that they picked up the first student, even though they had to retrieve their bus from Weir’s parking lot. Schoof said, “The change would compensate them for “dead head” or unloaded miles driven.” He said the cost would come in at $109.68 per school day and be distributed based on mileage.
Tyree said, “This shows drivers we are concerned about them.”
Carol Anders Correspondent
