3/13/08

ThisWeek

David J. Cross

It is vitally important for Columbus City Schools to remain competitive in attracting and retaining excellent teachers. Gene Harris CCS superintendent

Teachers in Columbus City Schools will receive a 2.5-percent pay increase next year, according to a one-year contract approved by Columbus Board of Education last week.

At the March 4 meeting, the seven-member board unanimously approved a contract with the Columbus Education Association, the teachers union. The agreement with the CEA runs from August this year to August 2009.

The pay increase is the only change in the district’s current labor contract with the CEA.

Rhonda Johnson, CEA president, said the arrangement was a “fair and equitable agreement in our economic times.”

She said the union was unable to secure more than a one-year contract because of potential funding problems.

“The challenge facing Columbus City Schools is that in order for us to negotiate a multi-year agreement, the district has to be able to certify that they will have the money on hand to fund a multi-year contract,” Johnson said.

A multi-year contract negotiation is expected to occur after a potential levy issue is voted on in November.

Jeff Warner, a spokesman for the district, declined to comment on the increase. He pointed to a press release in which Superintendent Gene Harris commented on the issue.

“The academic success we are achieving is due in large measure to the conscientious work of an experienced, dedicated teaching staff,” Harris said in the release. “It is vitally important for Columbus City Schools to remain competitive in attracting and retaining excellent teachers.”

Union members previous contract called for a 2-percent raise in 2005, a 2.75-percent increase in 2006 and a 3.25-percent increase this year.

The contract applies to approximately 4,170 CCS licensed personnel, including teachers, guidance counselors, psychologists, tutors, nurses, librarians, social workers and therapists.