School Board counters DEA master contract proposal

On Monday afternoon the Decorah Community School Board countered the initial DEA master contract proposal for the 2017-18 school year. The DEA had requested a $300 base pay increase; the School Board countered with a $0 increase to leave the base at $32,566. The Board also requested that certified staff work two extracurricular events during the activity season. There has been difficulty filling those positions.

Both sides acknowledged that the Board had unanswered questions and that the offer would be considered a "placeholder." The Iowa Legislature has not yet determined funding for education, although it is expected to involve a 1.1 percent statewide increase for about $40 million. Also, insurance figures for next year are not yet available. The Board proposal, for now, involves a 2.63 percent package increase, assuming level insurance rates. The board proposal would include normal salary step increases.

Another undefined variable from the legislature is the potential for equity funding adjustments in per pupil and transportation costs.

Both sides criticized the state legislature for failure to provide an educational funding figure-–one that, by law, should have been provided one year ago for this year's budgeting process.  The state legislature has continued to ignore that budgeting law for years.