HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Hutchinson School Board and Teachers’ Education Association reached a tentative agreement late on June 13, 2023.
After only two meetings, both sides have agreed to language, raises, and other negotiated items for the 2023-2024 school year.
Teachers will receive step and vertical movement for next year. Other items in the agreement include an increase to the Board paid portion of health insurance premiums. This increases the Board contribution from $520 to $530 for any employee who takes the district’s health insurance.
Also on the approved list was a one-time retention payment to teachers to be paid out in October 2023 in the amount of $750 and, if approved by the State Board of Education, another one-time payment of $500 in February 2024. Both sides agreed to provisions for working groups to study plan time and student behavior procedures.
Dr. Dawn Johnson, Hutchinson Public Schools Superintendent, said, “In full transparency, our enrollment numbers are down, which means funding is down. If we didn’t have declining enrollment numbers, projected funds would’ve been just over $1 million more. We are being prudent in our spending, giving 62% of new funds toward raises and 12% toward benefits. One fact remains- It’s great to be a Salthawk. We currently have the highest teacher salaries in Reno County with a robust benefits package.”
If both sides approve, these terms will take effect for the 23-24 school year. Hutchinson NEA and USD 308 have worked diligently through negotiations this year, wrapping negotiations on a positive note.
