S. Huntington Programs Restored in Deal With Teachers

The school board Tuesday night accepted a teachers union proposal for a salary freeze, keeping full-day kindergarten and middle school sports programs running next year.

Also restored under the agreement are the dance and fall drama programs.

South Huntington Teachers Association President Dennis Callahan outlined the deal that the union membership reached Friday.

The agreement consists of a three-year process of a salary freeze the first year, a 2 percent pay increase the second year but no step increases and step but no salary increases the third year.

Negotiations went forward in way that both sides found would have found "unimaginable" not long ago, Callahan said, and expressed hope that the agreement would lead to better environment going forward.

Before the board's unanimous approval of the agreement, Callahan said, "We as teachers have done our part. We are asking the board to do the same and we're asking public to do the same and vote for the budget. And make it any overwhelming yes. Send a message that piercing the cap is a viable option next year."

The state tax cap sets a 2 percent limit on the increase of the tax levy, not on taxes. Boards are required to adhere to the limit unless at least 60 percent of voters agree to exceed it, though certain costs are exempt.

School superintendent Dr. Thomas C. Shea said that while money will shift around the budget because of the restored funds, the total will not increase over the budget of $142 million the board approved in April. The cuts were a part of that budget, which reflects a 1.92 percent budget to budget increase over this year and a tax rate increase of 4.74 percent.

Members of the board and Shea all thanked Callahan for reaching the agreement. "Mr. Callahan gets it, that he and his members needed to be a part of the solution," he said.

Shea, Kaden and trustee Ed Nitkewicz reminded people, as they have previously, that funding issues will continue each year, for all school districts.

Shea referred to actions taken by other nearby districts, which he didn't quite name, to point out the cuts they have already taken. "Our beloved neighbor to the north" cut kindergarten to half days last year, he noted, clearly referring to the Huntington school district. Other districts have taken millions of dollars out of reserve funds or laid off scores of workers.

Nitkewicz compared the funding cap to being forced off a cliff that all districts will confront. "We want to make sure we’re the last people over the cliff," he said, explaining that the agreement, while helpful this year, will not head off future financial problems.

During a discussion of other programs some in the crowd or on the board want to restore, Nitkewicz said, "Next year we have to decide what to do for the next year. Every year it’s going to be more and more difficult. As joyous as it (the agreement) is for this year, these are painful times, for all constituents."

The agreement also includes an incentive program for a handful of teachers who are retiring this year.

The budget goes to the public for a vote on May 15.