The Board of School Trustees of the Hamilton Heights School Corporation approved the Hamilton Heights Classroom Teachers Association’s (HHCTA) 2019-21 teachers’ contract at its Oct. 23 meeting.
“The Administrative and HHCTA teams met at the beginning of the school year to negotiate the new Master Contract,” said Kristin McCarty, Hamilton Heights Business Manager. “The interest-based bargaining process went smoothly and together we were able to provide a contract for our teachers that met both teams’ major interests that included respect, transparency, teacher friendly, simplistic, compliant, fiscally responsible and focus on attracting and retaining high caliber educators.”
“For the second year in a row, HHCTA and the administration used the Interest Based Problem Solving Process during the bargaining sessions,” explained Jennifer Luce, HHCTA President. “The process focuses on first creating a consensus of contract objectives followed by small groups of HHCTA and Administration members working together to develop options and designs of a conceptual agreement.”
For the two-year contract, the teacher salary range increases to $37,500-$77,500. Salary increases will be based on 1) an effective or highly effective evaluation rating from the previous school year, and 2) experience (worked at least 120 days).
For the 2019-20 school year, teachers will receive a $500 base pay increase, with a $1,000 step increase. Beginning the 2020-21 school year, eligible teachers will receive a $1,000 step increase.
Teachers who receive Building Teacher of the Year in the preceding school year are eligible for a $1,000 stipend. Any teacher who obtains an additional degree during this contract period (limited to a total of $20,000 using one-time money) will receive a stipend of: $4,000 for a Masters, Ed.S., or Ph.D.; $2,000 for National Board Certification; and $500 for additional licensure.
Other changes include a $1,000 payroll stipend paid to all eligible teachers in December 2019 and 2020. The district 401(a) retirement contributions will increase by $100 and 20 additional HHCTA days were included for Association business and events.
A committee will be formed to review the ECA Schedule and make a recommendation to the Bargaining Committee in the summer of 2021 for consideration in 2021-23 collective bargaining agreement.
Dr. Derek Arrowood, Hamilton Heights Superintendent, credits the approval of the latest contract to a well-defined process, finding common ground, testament to the caliber of personnel working in the Heights district and their passion for students’ overall experience at Heights, and the corporation’s commitment to attracting and retaining high quality educators.