By Natalie Blythe
VIEW Managing Editor
GRAND BLANC — Grand Blanc Community Schools ratified the Grand Blanc Education Association (GBEA) contract extension at its June 16 board meeting. The contract extension runs through June 2011. The extension passed, 6-0, with Jane Brewer abstaining.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Norman Abdella said he approached the GBEA leadership and asked if the administration would extend its current contract that was set to expire in June 2009. “The extension makes the most sense on both sides,” he said. Abdella said the district would have negotiated with the GBEA, but if the contract was extended, it would be a “true extension and include the current financial package.”

Abdella said he then met with the GBEA team and they agreed to the extension. He also reported that when teachers voted in favor of or against the extension in an electronic vote June 13, 95 percent voted in favor of the extension.

The contract extension calls for an increase in the base salary of 1.5 percent annually, and staff at the individual schools may qualify for value-added pay up to 1.5 percent for meeting performance criteria established by the district. MESSA Choices II Health Insurance remains as specified in the current contract.

Value-added pay is determined by various factors, including student performance, adequate yearly progress (AYP) and the Education Yes grade. “Most buildings have earned value-added pay,” Abdella said.

Along with the GBEA contract, the board unanimously ratified the paraprofessional union contract for 2007-08 and 2008-09. The contract calls for a 1.5 percent pay increase at all steps for 2007-08 and 2008-09.

In other action:
• The board approved its strategic plans and funding for them for 2008-09.
• The board approved the final budget amendments for 2007-08 and the tax certification for 2008.
• The board held a 2008-09 budget hearing.
The next meeting of the Grand Blanc Board of Education is 7 p.m. July 21 in the Perry Center board room.

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