Thursday evening, the Carroll Community School District (CCSD) made their first proposal to the Carroll Education Support Association (CESA) for a 1.24 percent increase to the benefits package in upcoming fiscal year 2017-18. Originally, the CESA requested a 50 cent beginning wage increase for teacher associates and 80 cents for bus drivers. They did receive an increase but not in the amount the CESA asked for with regular TAs offered 15 cents higher, special ed. TAs 20 cents, severe special ed. 30 cents, route drivers at 30 cents, supply drivers at 20 cents and field trip drivers with 30 cents. CCSD also suggested a reduction in health insurance premium coverage from 100 percent to 90 percent for their employees. One staff member, Cathy Smith, asked the district’s business manager, Gary Bengtson, how they could keep staff at full premium payment.
In total, Superintendent Rob Cordes says the district will see costs increases for staff benefits.
The district will need to wait to see how the state and federal governments move forward on insurance legislation. Now that both parties have made initial proposals, further negotiations are held in closed session until reaching an agreement.
