SVEA Predicts Local Home Values Will Fall Under SV Board Proposal

Andrew Muir, attorney for the Saucon Valley Teachers stated, “Today the current School Board member politicians continue to refuse to negotiate with the teachers.  Instead, they are using taxpayer dollars to file frivolous complaints that are wholly without merit.” Muir explained, “What the tea-party school board politicians should be doing is bargaining rather than playing their public relations spin-games.  As I have repeatedly stated, the deteriorating labor relations will like lead to falling home and estate prices in the heart of Saucon Valley.”

“The teachers’ 3% counterproposal is both fair and affordable.  Although Saucon Valley teacher pay is the lowest in the county for about 75% of the time teachers progress through their salary chart, under the new contract teachers will gradually catch up to Bangor and hopefully some of the other districts.  As Saucon Valley teacher pay catches up to Bangor rates, there will be less need to take the courses to earn pay increases, thus the proposal will likely greatly reduce the district’s tuition costs.  In short, the teachers’ salary-tuition counter proposal is a win-win,” stated Muir.

“The politicians who are “running” the Saucon Valley District have admitted they have a huge surplus of $13 million.  They simply already have the funds necessary to provide teachers with fair increases for several years.  In fact, so much so, that they are alone in the state in not having to increase millage for 6 years”, said Muir

According to Attorney Muir, “It is fair for Saucon Valley parents to question whether the school board is more interested in the tea-party politics than the children, especially since it is the case that only 1 out of 9 school board politicians has a child in the Saucon Valley School District.”

“The parties have already suffered two strikes in the past 5 years and the board’s latest claims will only increase the chances of more unrest”, said Muir.  “We encourage the school board politicians to come out of hiding and resume negotiations.  We are available to negotiate any day of the year”, stated Muir.

“Saucon Valley Teachers are united and look forward to continue to negotiate until a new agreement is reached.  The Association encourages the school board to negotiate with an open mind so that the parties can move forward together”, said Muir.

The Saucon Valley Education Association represents 187 teaching professionals employed by the Saucon Valley School District.  Saucon Valley teachers have been working under an expired contract since June 30, 2012.