Consolidation complicates issue of teachers' pay
Portland Press Herald, October 21, 2007
(excerpt) Districts looking to merge under the new state consolidation law are facing similar scenarios. Under the law, passed by the Legislature in June, existing labor contracts for teachers will remain in effect until they expire. After that, the individual teacher bargaining units will merge to negotiate a new contract.
Most school and union officials agree that where there are significant differences in wage scales and benefits, the lower wages and benefits will be raised to meet the higher ones. But that has raised concern about where the extra money will come from.
Susan Gendron, commissioner for Maine's Department of Education, said the roughly 80 new regional school districts that are expected to emerge from the existing 290 smaller districts in Maine should be able to meet any pay increases that result.
She said about 150 school districts are now spending some of the money they receive from the state for teachers' salaries on other budget items, such as materials or transportation.
(excerpt) Districts looking to merge under the new state consolidation law are facing similar scenarios. Under the law, passed by the Legislature in June, existing labor contracts for teachers will remain in effect until they expire. After that, the individual teacher bargaining units will merge to negotiate a new contract.
Most school and union officials agree that where there are significant differences in wage scales and benefits, the lower wages and benefits will be raised to meet the higher ones. But that has raised concern about where the extra money will come from.
Susan Gendron, commissioner for Maine's Department of Education, said the roughly 80 new regional school districts that are expected to emerge from the existing 290 smaller districts in Maine should be able to meet any pay increases that result.
She said about 150 school districts are now spending some of the money they receive from the state for teachers' salaries on other budget items, such as materials or transportation.
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