The purpose of this release is to dispel numerous rumors, assumptions and misinformation regarding negotiations.
Many members of our community have expressed concern about the ongoing lack of a contract for teachers in the Hollidaysburg Area School District. We share that concern and would welcome a finalized agreement that allows everyone to refocus on our most important responsibility: educating students. Rest assured, the teachers are still being paid and they still have health insurance - all under the terms of the previous contract. The Board of Directors has worked diligently with the Teachers’ Association toward the goal of a new contract, meeting with the Association 11 times and presenting seven separate offers. We agree that our teachers deserve a fair contract and have proposed what we believe is a competitive and equitable wage package. Last year, Hollidaysburg ranked sixth in teacher wages among eight local districts. Under the Board’s proposal, salaries would rise to match or exceed those of all neighboring districts over the next four years. This represents a substantial financial commitment to improving the compensation and financial well-being of our teachers and achieving the goal of attracting and retaining top talent.
Compensation, however, is only one part of a sustainable contract. Healthcare costs have risen significantly in recent years, increasing by 12% both last year and this year. This year alone, those increases have added approximately $650,000 to the District’s teacher healthcare expenses. Despite these rising costs, teachers’ monthly insurance contributions have remained unchanged. Currently, teachers contribute just $35 per month for individual coverage, which costs the District $819.93 per month, and $50 per month for family coverage, which costs the District $2,339.33 per month. The Board is requesting a reasonable increase in employee contributions to help address these growing expenses. We are also seeking practical measures to control healthcare costs, including requiring the use of generic medications when appropriate before paying the full price for brand-name drugs that provide the same therapeutic benefits. In those situations where a generic drug was not available or effective, they could still request to utilize a brand name.
The Board’s proposed contract would add more than $880,000 annually in salary expenses for each year of the agreement. Over the four-year term, these wage increases would represent approximately $3.5 million in additional yearly taxpayer-funded expenditures. We believe it is important to provide competitive compensation while also recognizing the financial obligations placed on the District and the taxpayers who support our schools.
We deeply value our teachers and recognize the outstanding work they do every day for students and families throughout our community. Their dedication, professionalism, and contributions are essential to the success of our schools, and we sincerely appreciate their efforts. At the same time, the Board is responsible for balancing the needs of employees with the interests of students, families, the broader community, and local taxpayers. We would not be fulfilling that responsibility by agreeing to a contract that places an unreasonable additional burden on taxpayers without adequately considering the District’s long-term financial obligations or opportunities to improve its operations.
We’re disappointed to receive notice that the Association’s bargaining committee feels there is a need to go to a strike authorization. We are more disappointed that we were notified of the vote after the Association made a public release to the press. The Association did not even present our salary offer from August 25 to their membership until Thursday, October 15 after the school day. The District has offered fair and reasonable proposals throughout this process. At no time has the Association been presented with a “take it or leave it” offer. The District has been willing to meet with the Association since our last meeting on September 1. As of Wednesday the 14th the Association had agreed to meet with us today, Friday the 16th at 1pm - which the Association cancelled last night. The District offered an alternative date to meet on Monday the 19th, which the Association declined.
Our goal is not simply to reach an agreement, but to reach one that is fair to our teachers, responsible to our taxpayers, and supportive of the District’s mission. We remain hopeful that continued discussions will lead to an amicable resolution. Our community deserves a settlement that allows everyone to move forward together and return their full attention to the essential work of educating students and making Hollidaysburg an even better place to live, learn, and work.