Reading, Pa. – The Reading Education Association voted to accept a four-year contract with Reading School District on Monday evening.
“This is a fair agreement that acknowledges the dedication our members bring to the job every day,” REA President Rebecca Titus said. “We are elated to take a pause and celebrate this victory because it means we can now return our full focus to the needs of our students. The association hopes this contract helps stabilize our workforce by attracting and retaining the quality professionals Reading students deserve.”
The previous contract expired on August 31, 2019, and, thanks to strong leadership from both the association and the school district, negotiations began on time in January 2019. While the REA and school district would have preferred to start the school year with a new contract in place, negotiations for this contract resulted in only a 35-day status quo compared to the four-year status quo professional staff experienced prior to the previous contract being accepted in August 2016.
“It is a testament to the collegial relationship that has been established between the REA and the school district,” said Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Superintendent. “We have been able to communicate and streamline the negotiation process.”
The approved contract:
- Four-year contract
- Salary scale modification includes an increase of $750 in Year 1, plus an increase of $1000 in Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4
- Minimal increases to health insurance annually – 11 percent in both Years 1 and 2, 11.5 percent in Year 3 and 12 percent in Year 4
“We were able to create a healthier salary schedule that includes equitable raises across all cells for all certified professional staff,” Titus said. “This will provide stability for our professional staff, our students
and our classrooms. When classrooms are staffed, our kids are getting all of the resources that they need.”
Dr. Mumin agreed, adding, “This contract puts us in a position to compete with recruitment, hiring and retention of staff, by offering competitive wages as well as having the stability of four-year agreement. This is truly an opportunity to further create the synergy necessary as a team to move students to infinite possibilities of success.”
You Might Also Like
