LCSD & LCEA Negotiations Update – May 5, 2023

Lake County Education Association and Lake County School District engaged in their annual Master Agreement negotiations today, May 5, 2023, at the District’s office. The topics discussed were compensation and benefits, for both the teacher and the paraprofessional/non-administrative preschool staff groups. The parties utilized the services of a facilitator with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS), who has worked with the groups in prior years.

LCEA began the day with a presentation and teacher salary request of:

• $47,500 base increase (up from $43,000);
• 3.5% step increase; and, 
• $590 lane.

This would be an increase of 13.3% raise for the average teacher.
LCEA also presented a paraprofessional and preschool staff salary increase request of:

• $1.50/hour  base increase; and,
• 15% salary increase for current employees. 

The District presented a counter offer of an increase for all employees of 2.5%, the provision of lanes for those who qualify, and that the District will assume any health insurance premium increases to keep individual employee costs flat. This offer considered last year’s salary increase of 18.3% and the deficit that the District needs to ensure fiscally responsible spending.   

LCEA provided a counter offer for teachers of:

• $47,000 base increase;
• 3.5% step increase; and,
• $590 lane.

This would be an increase of 12.2% for the average teacher.  LCEA also presented a paraprofessional and preschool staff salary increase request of:

• $1.50/hour base increase; and, 
• 14% salary increase.

The District then presented a counter offer of an increase of all employees of 3.0%, the provision of lanes for those who qualify, and that the District will assume any health insurance increases to keep employee’s costs flat. This offer considered last year’s salary increase of 18.3%. Last year’s salary increase knowingly created an ongoing deficit that the District needs to address to ensure fiscally responsible spending.   

LCEA then provided a counter offer for teachers of:

• $46,500 base increase;
• 3.5% step increase; and,
• $590 lane.

This would be an increase of 11.1% for the average teacher. LCEA also presented a
paraprofessional and preschool staff salary increase request of:

• $1.50/hour  base increase; and, 
• $13.5% salary increase.

LCEA accepted the District’s proposal to keep health insurance rates for the individual employee at the same rates as the current school year.

The District then presented a counter offer of a 3.5% Step increase for teachers (keeping the starting salary at $43,000), provision of lanes for those who qualify, the health insurance premium increase absorbed by the District as accepted by the LCEA,  and a 3.5% increase on all paraprofessional and preschool staff hourly wages.  This was the maximum amount approved by the Board of Education. The District will assume any health insurance increases to keep employee’s costs flat.  This offer considered last year’s salary increase of 18.3%. Last year’s salary increase knowingly created an ongoing deficit that the District needs to address to ensure fiscally responsible spending.  

After a caucus, both groups agreed that our current positions are substantially different and that the next step in the process to move us forward in a collaborative manner is to engage in mediation. Mediation is not a public event. The proceedings are confidential and have been scheduled for June 16, 2023. The mediator is from FMCS and provides this service at no cost to either party. 

In the interest of giving employees their work agreements before they leave for the summer, work agreements will be issued by the end of May. For all employee groups who have not reached agreements on salary, please know the Board is contractually obligated to pass a budget by June 30th with current salaries. Work agreements will be issued for LCEA employees that reflect the current salary numbers. A cover sheet will be provided with these work agreements to explain that when an agreement is reached for bargaining units, a new work agreement will be issued to the corresponding employee groups, if there are any changes.  

While the state has provided a per-pupil funding increase of roughly 10%, the significant raises provided to employees last year was accomplished with one time funds to bridge to this coming fiscal year in anticipation of new recurring dollars being provided by the state this year.  

We appreciate the time of all individuals who participated and engaged in today’s process. The District is interested in finding collaborative ways to continue working toward competitive and increased salaries for all employees in a fiscally responsible manner. 

Lake County School District Negotiations Team