(Spirit Lake)– Contract negotiations between the Spirit Lake Education Association and the board of education officially got underway Monday.
The association, which represents the district’s teachers, presented it’s initial proposal, requesting a five-point-nine percent increase in salary and benefits.
SLEA members are also requesting the district pay for two of five personal days off teachers receive each year. Association spokesman Dennis Smith says it’s becoming more and more common for school districts to pay for atleast one or two personal days.
Steve Avery, the school’s chief negotiator, took the initial proposal under advisement. He’ll meet with the district’s negotiating team to come up with the board’s initial proposal, to be presented at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, January 15th.
The contract is for the 2003-2004 school year.
