ANDERSON, Ind. — Anderson Community Schools and the Anderson Federation of Teachers reached a tentative agreement Monday on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The new contract would provide teachers with a base salary increase and a series of stipends over the next two years.
Teachers in the district rallied outside of several schools Monday, to get administrators and the community's attention.
"All Indiana teachers, no matter where they're teaching, they need a raise," said Debbie Joslin, an elementary teacher at Erskine Elementary who joined teachers outside of Tenth Street Elementary.
The school district was forced to close several days last week, after about 100 teachers called off.
The district is proposing a $2,000 pay increase and $10,000 in stipends over the next two years.
"The amount of money coming to our school system would give us approximately a four percent raise, and it is not through stipends. The bill actually reads salaries. So, when we were offered two percent and zero percent, that is not in compliance with Indiana state law," said Ann Ockomon, a teacher at Tenth Street Elementary.
Teachers were also concerned about a what they said would be a 33% health insurance premium increase, beginning Jan. 1.
Randy Harrison, president of the AFT and Dr. Joe Cronk, superintendent for ACS, released a joint statement on Monday's tentative agreement.
“The success of our school corporation depends on our ability to recruit and retain the best educators for our students. This new collective bargaining agreement demonstrates our shared commitment in doing so. We are pleased that we can now move forward with a renewed focus and enthusiasm around advancing our school corporation.”
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The AFT' membership must now vote on the agreement. Then, the ACS' Board of Trustees must approve it.
In addition to teachers, other certified and non-certified staff members represented by the AFT will also receive a pay increase and stipends under the tentative agreement.
The ACS Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. The collective bargaining deadline is Nov. 15.
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