Oley Valley School District 17 Jefferson Street Oley PA 19547 FROM: Oley Valley School Board DATE: September

25, 2013 RE: Press Release: Negotiations

Negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement between the Oley Valley School District and Oley Valley Education Association have been ongoing since January 2012. Despite attempts by the Oley Valley School District to limit the number of issues on the bargaining table, the negotiations process continues to be bogged down with rhetoric rather than productive discussions regarding the contract issues. Since the Board did not wish to continue to make contract proposals to the Teachers Association without having received any counter proposals from the Oley Valley Education Association, the Board decided to submit a four (4) year proposal, which was fair and reasonable for both the teaching staff as well as the taxpayers of the school district. This offer was delivered as the Boards Best and Final offer. Those negotiating on behalf of the Oley Valley Education Association quickly rejected this proposal. It is the Boards contention that their proposal should be known to all those that they employ and the community that they serve. The Board, despite being hindered by ever-increasing teacher retirement contributions, medical insurance premium increases, and Act 1 limitations on property tax increases, was able to offer a four (4) year proposal which averages 2.3% per year increase in wages; not including any stipends and/or column movement. The remainder of the proposal calls for a total of 2% increase in professional employee contributions towards health insurance over the four (4) years and the elimination of a $500.00 per year medical pool reimbursement utilized by the teachers for uncovered medical expenses. Reimbursement for employee tuition costs continues to be capped at the current rate of $3,000.00 per year with course approval being granted for courses in the area of the teachers' certification. Reimbursement for professional employee services beyond the school day was set at $19.00/hour. A thirty-minute lunch period and a forty-minute preparation period was eliminated only for part time employees. Co curricular position stipends were increased by an average of 1% per year. The Board of School Directors believes this proposal, which is conditional upon acceptance by the Oley Valley Education Association bargaining unit members, is not only fair and reasonable but stretches the current year and future years' budgets to their full capacity while preserving educational programs for students.