NPSD settles agreement with support staff

Knight Crier

LANSDALE – The North Penn School District (NPSD) and the North Penn Educational Support Professionals Association (NPESPA) have agreed to a contract through June 2017. The NPSD Board of School Directors approved the contract with the support staff union at a special action meeting Monday night.

 

“Although members of this bargaining unit have been working since July 1st without a contract, their commitment and dedication to NPSD and its students remained constant,” said Curtis R. Dietrich, Ed. D. NPSD Superintendent. “I am very pleased that we have reached a contract with NPESPA that’s fair to both its members and our community.”

 

Employees who are represented by NPESPA include secretaries, instructional assistants, specialists and staff nurses. The agreement includes a 2.5 percent salary increase in the first two years of the contract and a 2.75 percent increase in the third year. The 2014-2015 salary increase is effective November 1, 2014.

 

NPESPA also agreed to changes to the school district’s core healthcare plan which NPSD administration and non-unionized support staff already agreed to this past summer. The plan includes increased premium costs and deductibles. It will take effect March 1, 2015 for NPESPA members.

 

Prior to this year, deductibles were never part of NPSD’s health care plan. Still the deductibles are significantly lower than what is found in the private sector. The health care plan accepted by three of NPSD’s employee groups and being recommended to all staff includes a $200 maximum deductible per year for each employee and $200 per dependent ($600 maximum deductible per year for families larger than three total members).

 

“The school board appreciates very much the willingness of the North Penn Educational Support Professionals Association to partner with the district in managing health care costs, said Vincent Sherpinsky, president, NPSD Board of School Directors.  As fringe benefit costs such as health care and pensions continue to rise, the cooperative spirit as evidenced in this reasonable contract settlement will assist the district in maintaining a financially secure position into the future.”

 

NPSD continues to negotiate with the North Penn Education Association (NPEA), the union representing teachers. That contract expired June 30, 2014.