Schools

Plymouth-Canton Schools' Union Contracts Inked

Union members' concessions have saved the district nearly $14 million.

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools' board of education voted Tuesday to accept contracts with five of the districts' 10 employee unions, according to a statement released by the district on Wednesday.

Benefits changes under the new contracts require employees to pay 20 percent of their health care premiums, with the increases effective retroactively to Sept. 1, rather than being applied on Jan. 1, 2012.

The changes will save the district nearly $7 million.

Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The district saved nearly $6 million when finalizing contracts with unions representing teachers; custodial maintenance; licensed technicians' and paraprofessionals unions, which were approved by board members on Sept. 13. The transportation dispatchers union settled it contract with the district earlier this year.

The contracts finalized Tuesday included those with district administrators; plant engineers; secretaries; cafeteria workers; and garage staff/security unions.

Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The majority of the contracts are 1-year agreements covering the 2011-12 school year.

"I said it a few weeks ago and I will say it again, these settlements prove that our employees are willing to do their part to help our District in these difficult times," said district Superintendent Jeremy Hughes. "Last year our district had about $11 million in fund balance, and we used nearly all of those dollars to balance the 2011-2012 budget.  The good news is that the money saved with these contracts will cushion us in the event of unforeseen emergencies or a possible mid-year reduction in state funding.”

John Jackson, the school board's president, said the agreements reflect unity among the board members, district administrators and employees.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here