FILLMORE : Teachers, District Open Contract Talks

Negotiations for the 1990-91 contract between the Fillmore Unified School District and the local teachers’ association opened Tuesday with a public hearing before the school board.

The association’s proposal for the district’s 156 teachers was accepted for consideration by the board without discussion. Management will counter with its proposal at the next board meeting Tuesday.

Assistant Supt. Robert Kernen said salary would probably not be a major issue in discussions on a three-year contract. “Five teachers serve on the district budget committee, and they have a very clear idea of what funding is available,” he said. A onetime 4% bonus for teachers was approved by the board last month.

Proposed changes to the current contract include Medicare coverage for teachers hired before a 1986 law that made the coverage mandatory. If the district begins covering those teachers, it would pay 50% of the premiums for an annual cost to the district of about $55,000, Kernen said. Teachers, however, have asked the district to pay all Medicare costs for those employees retroactive to 1987, which would cost about $300,000, Kernen said.

A program to “bank” sick-leave days is another key element of the teachers’ proposal. Under the plan, teachers could contribute a portion of their annual sick leave to a central fund for use by fellow faculty members. In case of serious illness, teachers who have used all their available sick days would be able to draw additional paid leave from the bank.

A 20% increase for “extra pay” hours was requested for teachers who work regular assignments outside class hours, such as athletic coaches and the high school band director.

The teachers’ proposal also asked the district to remove a cap on medical premiums.