At their January 20, 2009 meeting, the School Board voted 6 to 1 to approve the 4 year contract with the Teacher Union. Nick Vastardis and Jack McDowell were absent from the meeting, but both endorsed the contract.
Voting for the contract were: Susanne Carr Kevin McTear
Ralph Tang Scott Oswald
Beth McGarrigle Kathy Pettiss
Voting against the contract: Gene Kozik
We commend Gene Kozik for being the only Board Member who was concerned with making the taxpayers pay for this lucrative contract for the teachers during a severe recession. While taxpayers lose jobs, take cuts in pay, lose investments and retirement funds, and lose value in their homes, the teachers will be receiving large pay increases and lucrative benefits which the taxpayers will have to pay for with increased taxes over the next 4 years. Gene Kozik is the only one on the Board who saw how ludicrous that is and had the sense and courage to say NO to this contract.
We have good teachers in Great Valley who deserve our gratitude and respect, however, the School Board is not being fiscally responsible with our tax dollars by agreeing to this contract at a time of economic distress and an uncertain economic future.
What the Teachers Will Get
- Automatic pay increases every year between 4% and 15%, except for those at the top step of the pay scale who will “only” get 3%.
- Additional pay increases for advancing their education and thereby jumping to a higher pay scale
- The average teacher salary next year increases over 5% to $71,899
- At end of the contract the starting salary will be $51,958
- At end of the contract the highest salary will be $113,026
- Depending on where the teachers are on the pay scales, some will receive salary increases between 27% and 55% for the 4 year contract
- Tuition reimbursement for each teacher for each year will go from $3,600 to $5,200
- In addition to all the vacation time for when school is closed, the teachers will also receive 3 personal days and 10 sick days
- Lucrative medical insurance benefits while paying only 7% of the insurance premiums
- Free Life Insurance and Free Disability Insurance
What the Taxpayers are now Facing
- Increased property taxes each of the next 4 years to pay for this lucrative contract
- Severe Recession and uncertain economic future
- 20% - 40% loss of investments
- 20% - 40% loss in retirement funds
- 25%+ loss in property values
- Job losses, reductions in pay, loss of benefits
School Board Meeting
The School Board meeting was standing room only and many taxpayers voiced their disapproval or approval of the contract. The 6 members of the Board who approved the contract stated that the contract was needed for competitive reasons to retain teachers, it would “only” cause an additional 3% increase in property taxes, an early agreement eliminates bad feelings between the District and the teachers, and there will be no disruption of educational programs (no strike).
You can view the School Board meeting on www.gvsd.org on streaming video once it is posted by the District, or you can see it on GVTV.
Past School Board Budget History
The past budget performance of our School Board is important to note when considering this contract and the comments by the School Board members who voted for this contract. Consider the following:
- Our property taxes have increased 45% in 7 years
- The School District Budget has increased 58% in 7 years
- The School District salaries and benefits have increased 58% in 7 years
- The cost of benefits alone has increased 125% in 7 years
- Before this new contract we had one of the highest teacher salary schedules in Chester County
- We have one of the highest paid School Superintendents in Pennsylvania at over $230,000 a year
- We have several Administrators who have higher salaries than School Superintendents of comparable Districts in our area
You Decide
Consider our current economic condition and uncertain economic future, consider the information above, read the School Board information at www.gvsd.org, and then you decide if the School Board is being fiscally responsible with your tax dollars.
You can contact the School Board by using our websites' “Contact Board Members” button.
You may also send emails to our website if you have comments or questions.
