Raises a possibility for GRPS employees

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - At the board meeting Tuesday, Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Bernard Taylor spoke of the sacrifices district teachers and staff members have made over the past few years.

With a recent influx of funding, the district may be able to compensate those employees for their hard work. But, Taylor said, the school board must act now if salary increases are to happen.

"This window of opportunity may not last forever," the superintendent said.

Taylor urged the board to act fast while the money is available. The district will re-open contract negotiations, hopefully to provide wage increases for teachers and other GRPS personnel, Taylor said.

"I think that financially, we are at a point where it is prudent for this administration to recommend to this board that we start discussions with all our bargaining groups consistent with the agreements that we have -- that we look at compensation," he said. "That we look at benefits."

The extra money is coming from several sources: as much as $3 million more than was expected from early retirements; per-pupil losses from the School Aid Fund (coming in at $154 dollars as compared to a predicted $255); $25 million from school improvement grants and $3.5 million from President Barack Obama's federal education/jobs bill.

"So, if we're going to do something, I hope that we do it now," Taylor said.

Although he's optimistic, teachers union President Paul Helder said the re-negotiations already were part of the current contract. A wage increase is something teachers not only deserve, but have earned, he added.

"It's well known throughout the county and beyond that Grand Rapids Public School teachers have the lowest salary in the county, and the least-attractive benefits package," Helder said. "And if you're going to be marketing out in the county, you have to do something about that."

Taylor also discussed the 3 percent health care retirement tax that public workers now face. That came as a big blow to some of the teachers on the low end of the salary scale, Taylor said, adding he hopes a wage increase will help offset that.

As far as a timeline, school officials said negotiations begin immediately, but there are requirements that must be met by law -- and the union must sign off on everything, which could take months.