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THE HERALD Wednnday December 13 THE STATE OF THE HALTON TEACHERS BOARD CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS Negotiations between the Halton Board of Education and the elementary and secondary teachers are at an impasse Talks concerning the Boards 197879 contracts with each teacher group began over ten months ago A Fact Finder appointed by the Education Relations Commission recently released his report detailing the items in dispute in each set of negotiations Here are the positions expressed by both sides to Fact Finder on major items SALARY 5 increase in total costs This is ihe Boards offer structured so that lowerpaid teachers receive the highest percentage increase The highestpaid teachers would still receive an increase over 197778 resulting in a maximum salary of for classroom teachers Board Offer Secondary Request Elementary Request overall 7 all positions all positions 28186 maximum classroom salary INSURED BENEFITS Secondary 160000 Elementary 133000 These are the costs of an extensive dental plan which the teachers have requested be paid by the Board These costs are in addition to the 75 of premiums currently offered by the Board for OHIP Extended Health and Group Life Insurance STAFFING Secondary 1628000 This is the cost of hiring 68 more secondary school to lower the Pupil Teacher Ratio Elementary 980000 This is ihe cost of hiring a minimum of 50 more elementary teachers The Board feels that there will not be adequate educational benefit to justify these costs Current class sizes in Halton schools are educationally sound and economically responsible This term describes school staff that assist in many noninstructional duties The Board wishes to maintain the use of these staff members within the staffing ratio The elementary teachers request thai these nonteachers be compensated above and beyond the budgeted staffing ratio The secondary teachers seek that no nonteacher be hired within the staffing ratio THE BOTTOM LINE The secondary dispute is now in mediation with a appointed mediator The elementary teachers have requested the appointment of a mediator This is the situation as it stands following the Fact Finders report At Fact Finding increase of all items over 197778 base SECONDARY ELEMENTARY Board Offer Teachers Request Board Offer Teachers Request 76 164 80 The heart of the matter is this controlling the cost of providing the best education possible for the students of Halton The Board wishes to continue negotiations reasonably and responsibly with teachers HALTON BOARD OF EDUCATION HERD Chairman ES LAVENDER Director