Ross Valley school administrators OK pact with teachers – Marin Independent Journal

Ross Valley School District administrators voted unanimously this week to sign a one-year contract agreement with the district’s teachers union.

“This agreement is the result of collaboration, mutual respect and a shared vision for the future of our schools,” said Board President Rachel Litwack. “The tentative agreement balances the needs of our teachers with the financial sustainability of the district.”

Trustees approved the deal, which was previously ratified by the 109-member Ross Valley Teachers Association, at a board meeting Wednesday. The approval for the current school year came seven months earlier than the previous contract, which was not finalized until May.

“One of our goals is to break the pattern of starting the school year without a negotiated contract,” said Diana Sottile, one of three co-presidents of the Ross Valley teachers union. “Ratifying this TA is therefore a stepping stone to a bigger picture.”

Sottile added that “another goal is to work on a two-year contract before the current school year is over.”

The new contract will result in a 1.35% pay increase, plus a one-time $500 off-schedule bonus, for certified union members. Additionally, the contract would increase health and wellness benefits by 0.65%, giving union members 100% coverage through December 31, 2025.

The total package increase, including the 0.51% in one-off bonuses, would amount to an increase of 2.51%. The teachers also negotiated an earlier release time on Wednesdays at the elementary school sites, matching a schedule already in place at the middle school.

The new contract will increase a starting teacher’s salary to $64,142 annually, up from $63,288 last year. The highest-paid teacher, who has additional teaching credits and seniority, will go to $117,301, up from $115,738 in 2023-2024.

This year’s contract settlement comes after approval was delayed until nearly the end of last school year following weeks of public protests by teachers on the streets and at board meetings.

Superintendent Tyler Graff, who took office at the beginning of the current school year, said he was glad the district and teachers were able to arrange contact earlier this time.

“We are proud of our collaborative relationship that made it possible to conclude the negotiations in a timely, efficient manner, characterized by respect, clear communication and common interests,” said Graff.

Litwack said the district plans to provide larger raises in the future if it is able to build revenue. Currently, the Ross Valley School District has the lowest amount of state funding per student – ​​$10,985 – of all of Marin’s 17 public school districts.

“We are actively seeking opportunities to increase revenue so we can provide more competitive compensation, retain our excellent teachers and stabilize funding for the long term,” Litwack said.

After abandoning the idea of ​​introducing an additional parcel tax measure on the Nov. 5 ballot due to poor polling, county officials say they plan to try again in the spring, hoping to pass a new parcel tax measure in May to present to voters.

The district serves approximately 1,685 students at four elementary schools and White Hill Middle School. It has an annual budget of approximately $30 million.