The District's vision is to be an exemplary school district which inspires and promotes high standards of learning and student well being in partnership with parents, guardians, and the community.
SVVEA leadership rejects Boards settlement offers
August 28, 2009, Department of Communications
On Friday, August 28, the leadership of the St. Vrain Valley Teachers Association rejected both offers by the Board of Education to settle contract negotiations for the 2009-2010 contract year.
“We have outstanding teachers and these offers reflect our commitment to fair compensation,” said Board President Sandi Searls. “To go higher would be irresponsible and imperil the school district’s fiscal stability,” said Searls.
The first offer made by the Board of Education provided a 9.10% increase in salary and benefits and represented $6,189,000 in added compensation and benefits for teachers. The first offer included:
- a step increase averaging 2.79% and a lane increase averaging .51%
- a base pay increase of 2.37%
- PERA & Medicare increases of 15.83%
- an increased contribution to medical and dental insurance benefits of 15%
- the incremental return of a step lost by some teachers as a consequence of the District’s financial crisis several years ago
- no increase in the number of work days from the current contract
The second offer provided increased salary and benefits ranging from 5.31% to 10.52% depending on placement on the salary schedule and represents $7,926.000 in added compensation and benefits for teachers. The second offer included:
- an annual step increase averaging 2.79% and a lane increase averaging .51%
- a base pay increase of 1.5%
- a one-time stipend payment of 1.5%
- PERA and Medicare increases of 15.83%
- An increased contribution to medical and dental insurance benefits of 15%
- the restoration of the lost step for teachers who were affected at the time of the District’s financial crisis several years ago or a one-time stipend in the amount of $1,625 for those teachers who lost a step and have since become frozen on the salary schedule
- no increase in the number of work days from the current contract
The following chart illustrates the effect of the District's second offer on the salaries from FY09 to FY10, assuming the teacher has not advanced to a higher education level on the schedule.
| Step for FY09 | B.A. Step 1* |
M.A. Step 6** |
M.A. + 60 Step 20*** |
| FY09 Salary | $32,021 | $43,228 | $70,446 |
| 1.50% on base | 480 | 648 | 1,057 |
| Step | 1,625 | 1,625 | -- |
| 1.50% stipend | 480 | 648 | 1,057 |
| Restore lost step/one time stipend | -- | 1,625 | 1,625 |
| Total Increase | $2,585 | $4,546 | $3,739 |
| FY10 Salary | $34,606 | $47,774 | $74,185 |
| Increase over FY09 | 8.07% | 10.52% | 5.31% |
Step 1* - New teacher at the base pay for FY09
Step 6** - Teacher incurred a frozen step for FY04 and subsequently advanced to step 6 for FY09
Step 20*** - Teacher incurred a frozen step for FY04 and subsequently became frozen on step 20 for FY09
The Board of Education recognizes and values the important role of teachers in our schools and communities. However, the Board has determined that the increases proposed by the SVVEA are unsustainable over time and would likely result in salary freezes and layoffs for the next several years.
In response to the position taken by the leadership of the St. Vrain Valley Education Association, the District has requested the matter proceed to fact finding, the next step as specified in the collective bargaining agreement.
