JEFFERSON TWP - Despite 20 negotiation sessions in the past 15 months, the South Butler School District still has not reached a new labor agreement with the district's education association.

That was the news released Wednesday night at the South Butler School Board's regular monthly meeting. District solicitor Tom King delivered the report on behalf of the school board.

District representatives have been in negotiations with the teachers union since January 2003 - five months prior to the old contract's expiration date.

When a new agreement was not in place by the June 30, 2003, expiration, both the district and education association members agreed to continue to work under the terms of the old agreement until a new one could be reached, King said.

Of the 20 negotiation sessions held so far, some have included state-appointed mediator Bob Lavery and representatives from the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

"The school board believes their current proposal will provide fair wages and working conditions for teachers and meet taxpayers' expectations for fiscal responsibility in light of the present economic situation," King said. "The school board has had an integral part in developing the proposal."

The education association represents the 182 teachers in the district.

In its latest offer, the district has proposed:

An increase in the starting salary of about $2,800 over five years at all degree levels. This would increase the bachelor's degree level from $28,350 to $31,150.

An increase in the top salary of about $4,750 at all degree levels. For the master's level, this would mean an increase from $64,270 to $69,020.

An annual average salary increase of 3.49 percent or $1,684 per teacher, which equals $8,420 per teacher over five years.

An increase in the school day of 10 minutes from 7 hours and 20 minutes to 7 hours and 30 minutes and an addition of two days per contract year from 186 to 188. The majority of teachers will be given an extra personal day.

To cover 100 percent of the increase in dental plan costs over the five-year contract.

To cover up to a 5 percent increase in the cost of health insurance premiums each year. Any increase over 5 percent must be paid for by the association members through co-pays on premium. For the 2004-05 school year, the premiums will range from $219 for a single person to $596 for a family.

To terminate a redundant prescription drug plan used only by retired teachers who already have participating drug coverage through their regular health care coverage. This is expected to save the district $184,230 or more in premiums per year.

To continue to cover cost increases for tuition reimbursement for graduate study and a modified retirement incentive plan that covers health and dental insurance for retirees as well as a stipend upon retirement.

As its final condition, King said the board asked to have an agreement in place no later than June 30, or retroactivity for the 2003-04 school year would be eliminated from any proposal offered thereafter.

King also provided key points the education association had provided during the last negotiation session. They include:

An increase in starting salaries of $8,935 over five years.

An increase to the top master's level of $4,905.

An annual average salary increase of 5.04 percent or $2,434 per teacher.

The district continues to pay 100 percent of health and dental insurance costs.

The contract day and contract year remain the same.

"We feel the board's offer is both fair and equitable," King said.

He said no further negotiations had been scheduled.

Dawn Heilman, education association chief negotiator, said the district's figures for salary increases are misleading because they do not take into account the extra time during the day teachers are being asked to work or the addition of two in-service days.

"We would actually be working for less money under that proposal than we are making now," Heilman said.

Union members have analyzed pay scales at other districts and come to the conclusion that South Butler is not competitive with schools of comparable size.

"We are one of the lowest-paid districts around," Heilman said.

Union members are holding an informational meeting tonight to discuss the board's latest offer, Heilman said. There will be no vote taken at the meeting, but members will decide on their next step in the negotiating process, Heilman said.