Franklin Community School Corp board ratifies 2425 teachers' collective bargaining agreement

The Franklin Community School Corp board on a voice vote ratified the 2425 collective bargaining agreement with teachers, approving raises, stipends and changes to sick-day and retirement buyout provisions.

Tina, a district staff member, presented the contract terms, saying, "We're here tonight to ask the board to ratify the 2425, collective bargaining agreement." She described it as "a 1 year agreement" that proposes "a $2,390 pay raise for teachers, a 2% onetime stipend." She also said "the district will cover 3.6% of health care premiums increase," and outlined a new teacher salary schedule with "0 year at 50,000 and up to 25 years at 70,250."

Tina summarized changes to sick-leave and retirement pay: the district will add "7 sick days per year to teacher accruals" for transfer teachers (an increase from the historical 3 days) until year five, raise the sick-day accrual cap from "90 to 120," and establish layered retirement buyout payments of "$2,500 as compensation for 60 days of unused sick days, $5,000 for 90 days, and $7,500 for 120 days." She also described a May 2025 retirement buyout program that would grant a maximum of 10 buyouts, include "a onetime retirement cash incentive of $6,000 for retirements effective 06/30/2025" deposited into a Veeva account, and buy out accumulated sick days "at a rate of $90 per day."

A committee member thanked the teachers' bargaining unit and negotiators, stating, "I wanna thank FCTA for the negotiation process," and naming "president, Satner and also their chief negotiator, mister Feigl," as well as the district spokesperson, "missus Gross."

The board then entertained motions to approve the agreement. Tina moved for approval and the Chair seconded; the Chair called for those in favor to say "aye," and the motion passed by voice. The meeting record does not include a roll-call tally.

After the vote, a committee member asked about timing of pay. Tina said the retro pay, the 2% stipend and the pay increase "will be seen on the November 21 check." The Chair adjourned the special meeting and a committee member announced the discussion will continue at FCS Academy, with President Seppenfield representing the board and the meeting continuing in the school library on the eighth or ninth (date not specified).

The changes affect active teachers, future retirees who may take a buyout, and teachers transferring from other districts; the agreement had been ratified by teachers the prior week and was before the board for formal ratification.