Cliff Buchan
News Editor
Teachers and the ISD 831 School Board have  a tentative contract settlement for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years, but teachers must first vote on a new Q-Comp payment plan for the next school year.

Andy Stoyke, president of the Forest Lake Education Association, confirmed that the tentative agreement has been reached, but details have yet to be released to teachers.

The settlement offer includes a “hard freeze” on wages and benefits in the first year with some dollars for steps and lanes in the second year, he said.

Before the new two-year pact can be finalized, Stoyke said teachers must vote on revisions to the current Q-Comp agreement. Cost overruns in the pay-for-performance schedule set by the district have forced revisions and teachers are being asked to reduce their levels of performance pay next year under the plan.

Stoyke said teachers will be asked to vote on the new plan within two weeks. “Then we’ll address the (new) contract,” he said.

In reaching the tentative agreement, Stoyke said the FLEA bargaining team recognized the current economic conditions and funding dilemma for the district.

---

Social Bookmarking ...