West Branch teachers union settles, averting a possible strike

BELOIT

The union representing teachers in the West Branch school system and the district’s board of education have reached an agreement on a new two-year contract.

The deal, with no base-pay salary increase, was reached late tonight, averting a potential strike by the 150 or so teachers in the district.

After several months of negotiations, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on the final points of the contract.

The major issue during negotiations was step-pay increases normally provided to teachers based on years of experience.

The memorandum of understanding links the additional half-step sought by the teachers’ union to the district’s receiving at least $200,000 in “supplemental guarantee” state funding, which provides money to offset the loss of revenue caused by student enrollment declines, said Superintendent Scott Weingart.

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