The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education has finalized contract negotiations with the Carroll Educational Support Association (CESA) for the 2021-22 school year. CESA opened negotiations in March with requests for a one-dollar increase in hourly wages and longevity pay for individuals employed with the district for at least five years. The board responded by proposing a $0.30 increase to wages. The two parties then met privately to conclude the negotiations. Director of Business Affairs, Gary Bengtson, presented the results of those discussions to the board at their Monday, May, 17 meeting, beginning with teacher associate wages.
According to Bengtson, the next classification of CESA employees will receive a $0.65 increase to their wages, which includes health assistants, educational interpreters, and route/activity drivers. The pay adjustments apply to the 2021-22 school year, but Bengtson notes contract language will not be changed when they negotiate wages again a year from now. Board Vice President, Duane Horsley, says it did not make it into this latest agreement, but CESA is requesting representation during insurance discussions.
Including wages and insurance costs, the CESA settlement is a 2.97 percent total package increase, which equates to an additional $71,000. The board voted unanimously to approve this agreement. They also voted earlier this month to approve a one year, 2.84 percent total package increase for the Carroll Education Association (CEA), who represents teachers in the district.
