The county’s longest standing teacher contract dispute came to an end this past October.  For the first time in four years, Bethel Park teachers are working under a contract that will span six years.

The teachers of Bethel Park were without a contract since June of 2010.  In the fall of 2010, the teachers staged a six-week strike.  The picket line was drawn on Church Road at the administration building.

During the strike, the teachers were hoping to reach an agreement with the district.  However, coming back to school in December 2010, the teachers worked without a contract.

After the unsuccessful strike, the district and Federation of Teachers met at the negotiation tables.  Fast forwarding to the spring of 2012, the two sides participated in fact-finding.  Both sides rejected the report.

The two parties went back and forth, negotiating.  Recently, Bethel Park teachers accepted a fact-finder’s report.  This paved a path to a resolution.

Mrs. Diann Smith, BPFT President, said, “After three and half years of labor turmoil in the district, the federation wanted to move forward and return focus solely on our profession as educators; therefore we voted to accept the fact-finder’s report.  The BPFT members were disappointed that the fact-finder sided with the district and eliminated maximum class size at all levels, but our hope is that the district will maintain reasonable class size for the benefit of the students.”

According to Article 36.1 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2016, the new contract lowers the recommended class size in grades K-4 from 27 to 26 students.  At the 27th student and each student thereafter, a pay stipend is added.

According to Article 36. 1, grades 5-6 permit 26 students for all core classes.  At the 27th student and each student thereafter, a pay stipend will be added.

In grades 7-12, 27 students will be permitted for all mathematics, science, language arts, and world languages classes.  A pay stipend will be tacked on for additional students.  Social studies classes permit 30 students, as a pay stipend will be added for additional students.

Superintendent Mrs. Rose is happy with the outcome.

Mrs. Rose said, “I am happy that we were able to conclude the negotiations with the teachers union. The contract was officially signed by both parties on October 31. It was a long and challenging process, but I believe the outcome was positive in that it secures the financial viability of the district. The new contract also allows the District to move forward in our focus on providing a strong 21st Century program of instruction for our students. We are looking forward to launching more expansive cyber options for students while maintaining the high standards in our traditional classes.”

Expanding the learning environment can now be one of the district’s priority, as the contract dispute is over.

According to Article 66.1, the new contract keeps stipends for extra duty positions at the same levels as the previous contract, as the district currently pays $790,00 annually.

English teacher at Bethel Park High School, Mr. Lorenzi said, “The teachers sacrificed a great deal of time with their families to advocate for the importance of our profession… The teachers in this district were certainly willing to compromise, and this is evident by the changes that were made in order to lessen the burden on the community.”

A large portion of the contract dispute was regarding salary.  The new contract includes salary changes ranging from teachers with Bachelor degrees to Doctorate degrees.

The life of the contract will stem from the 2010-2011 school year until the 2015-2016 school year.

According to Article 67.3, the new contract states that a first year teacher with a Bachelor’s will go from $45,700 to $48,400 over the life of the contract.

Additionally, in conjunction with Article 67.3, the new contract states that a teachers with Bachelor’s degree at the top of the salary scale, after 18 years of teaching, will move from $90,856 to $96,256 over the life of the contract.

Teachers with a Master’s at the top of the salary scale will move from $92,548 to $97,948 over the life of the contract, according to Article 67.4.

According to Article 67.6, teachers with a Doctorate’s at the top of the salary scale will move from $94, 579  to $99,979 over the life of the contract.

According to bpsd.org, 19 individuals that were on the “Jump Step” the year of the contract disputes will see a salary increase over the life of the new contract.

In addition to salary, a big chunk of the contract dispute regarded health care.

Bethel Park School District’s website reads, “Effective January 1, 2014, teachers on steps 1-16 of the salary scale will contribute 7.5% of the health care premium toward their health care costs.  Beginning July 1, 2014, that contribution increases to 8.5% and on July 1, 2015 increases to 10%.  Teachers on steps 17 and 18 of the salary scale will contribute 9.5% January 1, 2014; increasing to 10.5% July 1, 2014 and 12% on July 1, 2015.”

Mr. Lorenzi said, “From much higher health care contributions, to a higher percentage of professionals teaching 6 classes, to the split of the jump step, the teachers here at Bethel Park have made compromises for the good of the community.”

As the contract dispute has come to an end, the district supports the teachers in Bethel.

Mrs. Rose said, “We have great teachers in Bethel Park. It is important to me that our community continues to support our teachers and the tremendous work they are doing in our classrooms. It’s my hope for everyone to put the negative rhetoric behind them and focus on the future, because we all know, the Bethel Park School District always has been and always will be a great place to learn.”

Diann Smith wants to move forward, too.

Mrs. Diann Smith said, “As we move forward, our hope is that we work together to solve the problems that face education locally, state-wide, and nationally. With the six-year agreement ending in June 2016, both sides will be back at the table in two years.”

Now, the district and teachers are working together.  Focusing on the students throughout Bethel continues to be atop their priority list.

Click here for more information on the contract.