Following nearly a yearlong impasse over contract negotiations with the Benicia Teacher Association (BTA), the Governing Board of the Benicia Unified School District voted to ratify a tentative agreement with a 2.5 percent salary increase at Thursday’s meeting.

Throughout the 2017-18 school year, the BTA and BUSD’s bargaining teams met for several negotiation sessions. In January, the district had proposed a one-time bonus of 1 percent off the salary schedule for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. BTA countered with a 5 percent increase for 2017-18 and a 4.25 percent increase for 2018-19 school year. After being unable to reach an agreement, BTA requested to file for impasse. Teachers, students and parents voiced their disapproval at board meetings, with some educators providing lists of free services they would no longer offer to students outside of their contract hours unless an agreement was reached.

In May, a fact-finding hearing was held, and the bargaining teams reached a tentative agreement. However, the BTA voted it down. On Aug. 7, another meeting was held and the parties were able to reach a tentative agreement, which the BTA voted to ratify at the end of the month.

The agreement proposes a 2.5 percent increase to the BTA unit members’ salary schedules. The increase would apply equally to all steps and columns of the salary schedule and be used as the basis to establish stipends, hourly rates and payments linked to the salary schedule. The agreement also noted that BUSD and BTA would develop a comprehensive system review before starting the 2019-20 negotiations. The duration of the agreement will last through June 30, 2020.

Dr. Khushwinder Gill, the deputy superintendent of human services, said the financial impact would be $607,000, which the district was discolsing in accordance with Assembly Bill 1200.
The board voted 4-0— Trustee Stacy Holguin was absent— to ratify the agreement.

“With great relief, thank you very, very much,” Board President Diane Ferrucci said following the vote.

BTA members could not be reached by press time.

In other business, the board voted to approve the 2017-18 unaudited actuals financial report for 2017-18.

The Board will next meet Thursday, Sept. 20.

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