Jordan teachers back a 5.6% pay-hike deal

Following a fierce battle over retirement benefits, Jordan teachers are in line for a 5.6 percent pay raise.

Teachers signed off on the tentative agreement this week, Jordan Education Association executive director Laura Black said. The Jordan Board of Education is expected to vote on it Tuesday.

The school district declined to comment Friday, citing an agreement with the teachers union to hold off until the board takes action, deputy superintendent for business services Burke Jolley said.

The tentative agreement is expected to be one of the best in the state, Black said. But there's a downside, too.

"For Jordan, the real caveat in all of that is our insurance is going to eat up a huge piece of that," Black said. "In fact, we know that some teachers will actually end up in the hole."

Insurance costs are up 24 percent in the district, and some teachers' out-of-pocket expenses could double, Black said. Other districts in Utah and nationwide are facing the same issue.

The district also tentatively funded steps and lanes on the teachers' pay scale, for an overall 8.125 percent infusion, Black said.

The tentative deal comes on the heels of a battle between the teachers and the district over reduced retirement benefits due to changes in federal and state accounting rules.

But Black thinks the proposed pay raise might improve teacher morale.

"Negotiations went really well. Everyone came to the table to do the best we could for the employees," she said. "We hope that after summer break and some breathing room ... (teachers) will actually realize something in their paychecks" to quell recent angst.

Meanwhile, teachers in Morgan, San Juan, South Sanpete, Washington, Wayne and Weber have struck at least tentative agreements on next year's pay and benefits packages, the Utah Education Association reports. Raises would range from about 3 percent to 5 percent.

In Utah County, Alpine teachers will get a 3 percent cost of living increase, and the district funded nearly an 11 percent increase in health insurance costs. Nebo teachers received a 3.25 percent increase, and the district is funding most of a 10 percent rise in insurance costs. Both districts have cut back retirement benefits.

The Provo School District's budget includes a 6 percent compensation increase, but how it will shake out is still under negotiation.