Schools

Rockwood Teachers Secure New Salary Agreement

Rockwood National Education Association (RNEA) and Rockwood School District officials agreed to a two-year salary package with a 5.5 percent increase, per an announcement made Thursday at the Rockwood board of education meeting.

teachers will receive a 2.75 percent increase during the 2012-2013 school year, and another 2.75 percent increase during the 2013-2014 school year, according to an agreement announced Thursday at the Rockwood board of education meeting held at Crestview Middle School in Ellisville. The motion to pass the agreement passed unanimously.

The agreement contains a clause for the 2013-2014 school year only, which reopens salary negotiations if an increase or decrease of 5 percent deviation occurs in the district's total operating revenue.

Rockwood Superintendent Bruce Borchers said the district's officials believed the agreement was fair, given the Rockwood's financial limitations. "We must be able to attract and retain the best teachers in the state."

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The current contract with RNEA expires June 30. District and RNEA representatives met in the fall and established ground rules for what they deemed "Interest Based Bargaining" on Oct. 27.

RNEA President Suzanne Dotta stated in a joint news release that RNEA leaders were pleased to recommend this contract for ratification, which occurred at RNEA meetings held Feb. 14-22 with a vote of 404 in favor and 20 opposed.

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One change reflects counselors' future roles, including counseling philosophies, expectations and priorities. District representatives will meet with principals to discuss sharing duties that cannot be part of counselor duties.

Another change is that a committee among elementary staffers will be established to review procedures in crises or unique situations. Committee members will hold meetings twice a year with lead teachers in buildings to review new procedures and expectations.

The district also will establish elementary and secondary committees to continue work regarding standards based grading.

To review the full agreement, click here.

"Rockwood teachers are focused on helping all students be successful," stated Dotta. "RNEA and the district have created an agreement that honors the commitment and professionalism of our dedicated teachers."


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