SCASD, Teachers Union Approve New Contract

State College Area School District and the State College Area Education Association finalized a new three-year contract for teachers last week, just ahead of the start of the new academic year.

During a special meeting on Friday, the school board voted 7-0 to approve the contract with the union representing district teachers. Dan Duffy, whose wife is a member of SCAE, abstained and David Hutchinson was absent.

SCAEA membership voted on Aug. 19 to approve the contract.

The contract comes after 18 months of negotiations that were hampered last year by COVID-19.

Teachers worked without a contract for 2020-21, so the new agreement is retroactive and covers the period of July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023.

“The SCAEA negotiations team and I are pleased that we could work amicably with the Board to develop a contract that is fair to both the educators and the taxpayers of the district,” SCAEA President Shai McGowan said in a statement. “As in the case with most negotiations, neither party walked away with everything they wanted. That being said, we do feel that the settlement recognizes the hard work and sacrifices of our members during the most challenging year of their careers.”

Salary provisions in the new contract result in average annual increases of 3.3% over the course of the three years. Continuing from the previous contract, it also includes increases for this year and next in employee share of health care costs. Employees have an option of a PPO or a qualified high-deductible health plan, so costs vary based on plan and number of people covered.

“Both parties worked together to develop a contract that serves the needs of our valued and dedicated educational professionals during this challenging period caused by the pandemic,” Board President Amber Concepcion said. “This is an important step forward that now allows the teachers to begin the school year with a contract.”

State College Area’s 2021-22 academic year began on Tuesday.