PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact: Sandra Claus
PASD Community Relations
484-927-5007 (office)
215-779-8516 (cell)
[email protected]
SUBJECT: New Contract between PASD and the PAEA
Date: 11/30/2020
Phoenixville, PA: At its November 30, 2020 Board Meeting, the Phoenixville Area School District Board of School Directors approved a three-year contract with the Phoenixville Area Education Association (PAEA, PASD’s teacher association). The 7-1 vote followed an earlier affirmative vote this evening by the PAEA membership. The current contract is set to expire on June 30, 2021, at which time, the new three-year contract will go into effect and run until June 30, 2024.
The new contract includes a 2.5% increase for each of the three years, while maintaining important components of the healthcare plan currently in place.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved in working to negotiate this contract,” said Jeesely Soto, Vice President of and lead negotiator for the Phoenixville Area School District Board. “Both sides came to the table ready to work together for the benefit of the District, our teachers, students, families, and the Phoenixville community. I appreciate the continued level of respect and professionalism displayed by all involved in this process. I think we all recognize that this pandemic has been challenging and difficult for our community. Through this all, our teachers continue to rise above and beyond. The end result reflects our high regard for our teachers as well as our commitment to our taxpayers.”
Tammy Kurtz, President of the PAEA stated “On behalf of the Phoenixville Area Education Association, I would like to thank the board for voting to approve the PAEA Contract. The Early Bird negotiation process was successful due to the positive mindset and motivation on both sides to find a compromise for a fair and equitable contract. The ratification of this three-year contract allows us all to keep our focus centered on educating the students of Phoenixville during this especially challenging time.”
Special recognition is due for the hard-working members of the negotiation teams:
For the PAEA -- Mr. Michael Donnelly, Chief Negotiator; Mr. Erik Rutchauskas; Mrs. Mary Pat McLaughlin, Mr. Garret Gianni, and Mrs. Lauren Figueroa, and Mrs. Tammy Kurtz, President PAEA;
For the Board –Ms. Jeesely Soto, Chief Negotiator; Ms. Michelle Schamis; Mrs. Susan Turner; Ms. Blake Emmanuel, President; and Mr. David Golberg. Administrators working with the Board: Dr. Alan Fegley, Superintendent; Dr. Jeremy Melber, Business Manager; Mrs. Sylvia Rockwood, Director of Human Resources.
Once the final document is completed, it will be posted on our website in its entirety.