School Board approves contracts for next year

On Monday night the Decorah Interim School Board approved contracts for the 2019-20 school year.

It was the first year of negotiation with the Decorah Education Association under the newly restricted negotiating terms set by the Iowa Legislature. The final agreement, approved by the Board calls for a 3.08% increase for certified staff. This includes a $660 per month cash allowance per individual for health insurance. The altered plan from previous years was seen as the best way to adjust for significantly increased health insurance costs. The agreement also calls for a  base salary increase of $70, and a minimum first year salary of $35,500 (although that salary might not increase in the first couple years) in an attempt to offer a competitive starting salary. The agreement also attempted to restore the integrity of the original salary schedule. The total cost of the agreement was $281,031.

Other contracts approved by the Board:

• Administrative Assistants, Bus Drivers, Custodians, Food Service, Nurses, Para-Educators, other Support Staff and Coaches. This group, the lowest paid of staff, will receive the highest percentage increase to help with escalating health insurance costs – 3.22%. Total cost is $109,756.
• Administrative Support Staff, as a whole, will receive a 3.06% increase. Some adjustments were made, however, to bring two staff in line with comparable positions elsewhere. Total cost is $31,790.
• Administration was given a 3.06% increase, totaling $30.688.