STAFF REPORTS
Rowland Heights – The Rowland Unified School District Board of Education announced on Thurs., July 10 that a comprehensive three year (2013-2016) Tentative Agreement was reached on Tuesday evening, July 8, by RUSD and the Association of Rowland Educators (ARE) negotiation teams after meeting with the state-appointed mediator for a fourth session. As a result, there will be no formal negotiations during the 2014-2015 school year, and only limited negotiations during the 2015-2016 school year.
RUSD Board President, Heidi L. Gallegos, observed, “The tentative agreement reached clearly recognizes the dedicated work of our Rowland teachers while leaving the District in a solid financial position for the future. I would like to acknowledge the hard work done on both sides of the aisle by our bargaining teams.”
Highlights of the Tentative Agreement include a multi-year agreement; salary increase of 4% retroactive to July 1, 2013; salary increase of 4%, effective July 1, 2014; District’s maximum contribution to employee health and welfare benefits increased to $11,000, effective Jan. 1, 2015; $1,500 cash-in-lieu payment for eligible employees who elect to opt out of District health and welfare benefits coverage; late start to continue at high schools for 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 schools years; and reduced counselor ratios.
ARE President, Shay Lohman, stated, “The Association is pleased that after a very long struggle a fair agreement has been reached and can be sent to membership for a vote. We are very grateful for the leadership provided recently by interim superintendent, Dr. John Roach, and we are excited about the possibilities that lay ahead for RUSD.”
The Tentative Agreement will be presented to ARE members for ratification within the next two to three weeks. After ratification, the agreement will be presented to the District’s Governing Board at its Aug. 12 meeting. As part of the District’s review process, the economic provisions of the Tentative Agreement will also be shared with the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Each team vowed to work diligently to implement the terms of the agreement once it is approved by all parties.
“I am thrilled that the teams reached an agreement [yesterday],” said interim superintendent Roach. “The school year will begin with all employees focused on meeting the needs of our students.”
