Keystone Oaks, Teachers Extend Contract Through June

The Keystone Oaks School District and the union representing its teachers have formally agreed to a one-year extension of an expired contract. The retroactive agreement, approved on Tuesday by the district and the Keystone Oaks Education Association, is retroactive to last July and expires on June 30.

“We are pleased that the district and KOEA were able to reach a short-term agreement that puts the students first and is fair for both sides,” school board president Matt Cesario said. “We look forward to working with (the union) to reach a longer term agreement that is sustainable and continues to provide a high quality education for Keystone Oaks students.”

The district and the association, which represents 160 teachers, counselors and nurses, last month narrowly avoided a strike by reaching a last-minute tentative agreement. Details of the ratified contract include:

• Education association employees will move up one step on the salary scale for the 2016-17 school year and will receive retroactive pay.

• Education association employees will now participate in an EPO health care plan, which lowers the districts costs. Health care contributions for individuals will continue to be $32 per pay, with contributions for other plans increasing to $54 per pay.

A number of managerial items have been agreed to and will go into effect once a long-term contract agreement is reached.

Logo: Patch file.