Members of the Atlantic Education Association, representing the Certified staff, and Atlantic Employees Association, representing the Non-Certified staff, presented their initial bargaining proposals today (Wednesday), to the Atlantic School Board. The Board, in-turn, presented it proposals, as well.

Joanne Runyon and Mike McDermott spoke on behalf of the Education Association. Runyon said they are proposing a three-percent increase on the base, including step and lane, in the amount of $1,051. The TSS (Teacher Salary Supplement) payment remains the same. The current Base pay on the Master Contract is $35,049. The increase was based in-part, on Atlantic’s base pay as compared to other schools in the Hawkeye 10 Conference. Atlantic is ranked 9th in Base dollars for 2017-18.

The Base salary determines a hiring base, according to Runyon, who said also “If we are to continue to remain competitive, one needs to take a look at that.” The Education Association also asked for increases in: the Activity Sponsor for Archery from one, to two sponsor/coaches, each of whom would be paid 2.42%, or $1,046, based on the current contract; They also requested the Middle School Student Council be increased from the current 2% to 5.5% because they are more active than in the past; the Middle School Yearbook they requested be increase from the current zero percent, to 2-percent. The person who is in charge of that has not been paid in the past, and they are going “above and beyond” the duties of her classroom time; And, Head School Cross Country – there is a requested increase from the current 8.32% to $3,616 to 10.19%.

The Atlantic Board of Directors, conversely, proposed freezing the salary schedule for 2018-19, and that each full-time employee receive a $100, one-time payment. And, that Permissives for: TSS Calulation in Salary Schedule; a Column of the schedule referencing percentages tied to BA, Step 6 (for each position), be deleted.

The Atlantic Employees Association, represented by Andrea Halterman, requested an overall 40-cent per hour increase to the base pay, and she said the Transportation staff has expressed an increase in being paid bi-weekly, rather than monthly, and the Transportation Support Staff proposed a 50-cent per hour increase per hour, for wait time pay (associated with events where they must wait in the bus or vehicle for students to return). The would mean $11.00 per hour, instead of $10.50.

For its part, the District proposed no changes to the salary schedule for 2018-19, but that each eligible employee moves a step on the salary schedule. Additional meetings are planned between the entities, but no firm date for the next session, was set.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board Wednesday night, also approved the resignation of Assistant High School Principal/Athletic Director Matt Alexander, who has accepted the Superintendent’s position for the OA-BCIG School District, effective July 1st.