Teachers with the Morgan Hill School District will see a big
increase in their health benefits, thanks to a new contract between
the district and the teachers
’ union, but class sizes will also grow larger to pay for
it.
Teachers with the Morgan Hill School District will see a big increase in their health benefits, thanks to a new contract between the district and the teachers’ union, but class sizes will also grow larger to pay for it.
“Obviously, we want the best possible environment for learning for our students,” School Board President Shellé Thomas said. “This increase in class size is slight, and neither our students or our teachers will be overburdened by this increase.”
After several months of negotiation, the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers ratified the agreement and awaits the signatures of the school board trustees.
“This is good, for the teachers and for the district,” Thomas said. “It is clear that this is something that needed to be done.”
The proposed contract was presented for comment during the district’s board meeting last week, as Thomas opened a public hearing, then closed it after receiving no comment from the public or from board members.
The board will vote on approval during the Sept. 26 school board meeting.
MHFT President Donna Foster urged trustees to approve the contract.
“I encourage you to approve of this agreement reached with the district,” she said.
Superintendent Alan Nishino said he was pleased with the contract.
“I think it is very, very good,” he said. “It’s a win-win. I’d like to thank all parties for all their hard work and time.”
The increase in benefits for teachers, which brings them to a level that is comparable to surrounding districts, is largely paid for through an increase in class size at the high school, according to Thomas.
“We’ll jump from 27 to 29 students per class,” Thomas said Monday. “Of course we’d like to keep class sizes lower, but this isn’t a tremendous increase. If you look at Los Gatos, however, they have 29-and-a-half students per class, and look how well they perform. We felt it was important to increase the benefits for our teachers.”
The district’s monthly contribution cap for health and welfare benefits will increase each year. Starting in October, the district will pay a maximum of $450 per month for each teacher. Next year, maximum will increase to $600 per month. In 2007, the district’s cap will increase to $750 per month.
Staffing ratios at middle and high schools will not change this school year, but will rise to one teacher for every 28 students next year and class sizes will increase by another student on average the following year.
With a class size of 28 next year, teachers will educate 175 different students in all of their classes as opposed to 170 students now. Classes will still be below the 35-student maximum class size. With 29 students in each class, teachers will see 180 different students in their classes each day.
Central Continuation High School’s ratios will not be subject to the increase.
Also included in the contract is an increase in staff development time, from six hours total this school year to nine hours total beginning next year.
With an uncertain state budget and the district’s history of budget cuts, the financial impact of the three-year contract was something district officials were careful to consider.
