From Dixon Superintendent Mike Juenger:
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF DIXON PUBLIC SCHOOLS #170
On Friday, March 1, 2013, the Board of Education of the Dixon Public Schools presented it's "Framework for A Principled Negotiated Agreement" to the Dixon Education Association in an effort bring the strike to an early conclusion. This Framework, which is set out in full below, outlines the basis of reaching agreement that addresses the valid concerns and interests of both sides.
During the weekend, both sides reached conceptual agreement on many of the issues outlined in the Framework including, length of the teacher workday and work year, evaluations, discipline, dress code, and tuition reimbursement and have come closer to agreement on a number of other issues. As to the many complaints the teachers have raised for the first time in negotiations concerning the education of Dixon students, the Board has offered to establish procedures for teachers to bring these issues to the Board's attention as they occur.
However, both sides are still apart on salary, health insurance and retirement benefits. On Sunday, March 3, 2013, the Board made a specific proposal on all of these items. The Board proposed granting annual cost of living increases to all teachers for the duration of the agreement; paying 85% of the cost single health insurance and 80% of the cost of family health insurance; and phasing out an early retirement plan that artificially increases teacher pensions. A chart of the salary increases each teacher would receive is set out below. The Association rejected the Board proposal and made no counterproposal.
The Board was also informed by the Association that if Board and Association teams reach an agreement, the teachers will not immediately return to school. Rather, the teachers will remain out until the collective bargaining agreement is fully written up, all teachers are given adequate time to review it and then it is voted on by the teachers, a process that it could take at least two additional days.
