News Release

Contact:
Nancy Duin
District Communications
503.534.2312

Agreements Reached on New Employment Contracts

For Immediate Release

June 10, 2007

LAKE OSWEGO – The Lake Oswego School District is pleased to announce that agreements have been reached with the Lake Oswego Education Association (LOEA) and the Lake Oswego School Employees Association (LOSEA) regarding new employment contracts.

New contracts will become effective July 1. They will replace expiring contracts that were negotiated three years ago during a state economic downturn, in an environment of significant downsizing and job loss. Reflecting their commitment to helping the district and the community navigate those funding challenges and protect the education of students, three years ago employees agreed to accept annual salary increases of 1%, 1.5% and 2% -- a level of compensation that has not kept pace with inflation.

Key features of the new agreements are as follows:

• The new agreements are for three-year contracts for both associations. For the purpose of long range planning, it is of benefit to employees and the district to negotiate multi-year contracts. These contracts will allow the district to plan accurately and strategically over the next three years as it focuses on an aggressive improvement agenda and increasing expectations at all levels.

• Members of both associations will receive base salary increases of 3.75% for each year of the three-year contract. In light of the salary increases employees have received in recent years, these increases are fair for employees, the district, and the community. They will help employees catch up to anticipated cost of living increases over the next three years, and will help the district to remain competitive as it seeks to hire and retain the best teachers and staff.

• The district will cover increases in costs of medical benefits of up to 7.5% each year; cost increases above 7.5% will be split between employees and the district.

As has been the case in the past, the district and both of its employee associations have approached contract negotiations as a collaborative problem-solving process. The positive representation and leadership exhibited by all parties have produced agreements that reflect professional esteem for our staff, as well as the economic realities we face. The mutual trust and respect that have seen us through difficult times in recent years continue to work to the benefit of staff, the district, and the community.

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