Nov. 20, 2009 update (8 p.m.)

According to media sources, the BVEA announced that it had voted to reject the tentative agreement. Therefore, the district and the association will continue to operate under the terms of the 2008-09 agreement. The district renews its call for advisory third party fact-finding as provided for in the agreement.

BVSD and BVEA Reach Tentative Agreement 
BVEA membership vote results expected by Nov. 20

On Friday, November 13th, BVEA and District representatives signed a tentative agreement for a successor contract for 2009-10. The BVEA membership will determine ratification by a vote of the membership. The components of the tentative agreement are as follows:

• 1% cost of living increase to all Unit B employees based on 2009-10 placement on salary schedule prorated by FTE
• District continuing to cover cost of full employee coverage for health and dental benefits
• The equivalent of two (2) additional contract days paid at per diem pay for participation in professional development
• Agreement to reopen negotiations to discuss additional compensation for Unit B employees based on the Unit B share of the Fiscal Emergency Restricted Reserve less required transfers contingent upon decision of the Colorado Legislature to release funds in January 2010
• Special education teachers will receive an additional $400 stipend; Occupational/Physical Therapists will receive a $700 stipend
• All Unit B employees will receive first contract paycheck on a new schedule of August through July beginning in August 2010; two paychecks will be issued in August 2010 to implement this change
• One (1) year Agreement through June 30, 2010
• Spring 2010 negotiations to begin by January 15th, 2010, and end by May 7th, 2010, with a total of seven (7) sessions
• Annual building survey to increase communication between teachers and administrators to be implemented in all schools in December 2009
• New category added to special education caseload review of 1:10 for Multi/Autism
• Annual leave days may accumulate up to 25 days beyond the 12 days (12 days more than current Agreement) with days above 25 days paid in July; upon separation annual leave payout will be a maximum of 37 annual leave days (12 days more than current Agreement)
• All Frozen Sick Leave will be paid to all Unit B employees on separation from the district for those hired as of June 7, 1996 (includes those employees below the 11 years of experience as of June 6, 1996); Frozen Sick Leave may be used for illness after annual leave is exhausted and for maternity /parental leave (new provision)
• New language to work collaboratively between teachers and the District when a school is identified to have significant achievement challenges including a process and timeline

“I am pleased to be moving forward with the teachers once again,” BVSD Superintendent Chris King said. “We have serious financial problems facing us, and we need the teachers at our side as we confront the future. I am very hopeful that teachers want the impasse to end as much as I do, and that they will ratify this contract.”

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BVSD-BVEA Tentative Agreement 11-13-09

 Negotiations Q and A