Highland teachers, board begin contract negotiations

Negotiations for a new teachers' contract in the Highland school district began in earnest this week.

The Highland school board and the Highland Education Association met Monday afternoon to exchange initial proposals for the 2021-22 school year.

Superintendent Ken Crawford said both sides were close in numbers with their proposals.

'We had really good numbers from both sides,” Crawford said. 'Both sides understand that the state is just giving us 2.44 percent.

'I feel like we didn't surprise each other.”

The HEA proposed a step increase with a $550 increase on the base wage.

They also proposed that speech and play sponsors received 10 percent of their base pay, while student council and National Honor Society sponsors receive 7 percent of their base pay.

Crawford said that the increase in the total compensation package proposed by the HEA was just over 3 percent.

The school board proposed a one-step salary increase and an added $125 to base salary, making for an increase in the total compensation package of just under 2 percent.

'Both sides agreed to a step increase,” Crawford said. 'I think we're close.”

He added that both proposed total compensation package increases take into account an increase in health insurance premiums.

Part of the board's proposal is the reclassification of one of the leave days.

'Teachers get two personal days and one general leave day that they can use however they want,” Crawford said. 'We proposed taking the general leave out and giving them a third personal day.”

He said that would provide more administrative control over leave days.

The two sides have a closed-door negotiating session scheduled for 4 p.m. today.

'We'll continue to talk,” Crawford said. 'I hope we can knock this out in one night.”