For the 2008-09 school year, the agreement guarantees BVSD teachers a 2.7% cost of living increase to the salary schedule in addition to funding salary schedule step increases and the employee cost of health, dental and life insurance. The new base salary for a beginning teacher at Step 1 B.A. level will be $33,518.

The other key elements of the recommended pay accord include the following additional payments for the term of the agreement; two years.

Ø Continuing annual stipends for special education instructors ($400), occupational therapists ($700) and physical therapists ($700).

Ø An additional 5% increase for speech and language specialists who have earned the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence.

Ø Elimination of experience steps 25-28 on the salary schedule

In addition, BVSD and BVEA ratified the following:

• Provision of seniority status for teachers employed at a .5 FTE contract
• Beginning the negotiations process no later than January 15, 2009 to discuss a professional salary schedule and language issues with completion to be no later than April 1, with a mediator to be preselected by March 15, 2009 if impasse is anticipated.
• Identification of language specific to the middle level with compensation granted through a stipend or annual leave for employees implementing an optional advisory or similar student support program for students.
• Changes in the number of teacher work days and professional development days in the calendar with 5 ½ days identified for each. Staffs can determine through shared decision making the option to be flexible in the distribution of the total time for professional development.
• Clarification on student load limits for health classes
• Student IEP caseload review guideline numbers for special education teachers and specialists
• Alignment of dates for teacher observations for evaluation to coincide with school calendars
• Addition of an Employee Assistance Program as part of the overall health benefit package
• Increase to the number of days teachers can be paid for unused annual leave days upon separation from the district
• Clarification on the teacher tuition reimbursement program to reimburse the costs of off-campus classes
• Provision of the use of district email and mail systems within the parameters of school district policy
• Utilization of an interest-based problem-solving framework for grievances
• Language to encourage the use of a Faculty Advisory Committee at the school level as a mutual problem-solving forum
• Opportunity for staff to provide meaningful input into the planning and implementation of professional development activities at the building level
• Up to five days to be provided to teachers working during the 110 retirement year
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to design and implement a building teacher survey to solicit feedback on building issues

The negotiations process was implemented using an interest-based model. The Board of Education complimented the negotiation team for the positive partnership that has continued in the District and through the negotiations process.