Mediator Appointed for Hen Hud School District

The Hendrick Hudson School District has declared an impasse with the collective bargaining unit known as the Hendrick Hudson Education Association, and has declared that a mediator will be appointed by the state to help resolve the differences.

The Hendrick Hudson Education Association, which represents over 240 professional teaching members, has issued a prepared statement, written by Co-President Doreen Halsall and Gary Delcioppo.

The statement says that “The Hendrick Hudson School District has declared impasse in our current contract negotiations. The Hendrick Hudson Education Association was more than willing to continue this process which began in December 2010, to develop and acceptable agreement, which addresses the issues on both sides of the table. The goal of the Hendrick Hudson Education Association will be to work with the district through a mediator to reach an acceptable agreement which addresses the issues of both parties.”

Proposals by the district for a contract included a salary freeze for teachers in the 2011-2012 school year, and a salary increase of 1.25 percent for 2012, a 1.5 percent increase in 2013, and a 1.75 percent increase in 2014. The contract proposed by the district also included increased contributions to health care costs, by all teachers on the health care plan, including retirees.

The district argued, however, that the proposed two percent tax cap proposed by the state could seriously hinder the district budget. The contract proposed by the teacher’s union could cost the district, according to a release, “in excess of four percent in the first year and could potentially exceed six percent in the second year.”

“It is imperative,” said Dr. Daniel McCann, superintendent of Hendrick Hudson schools, in a recent release, “that our professional staff recognize the difficult times our community and school district have faced and will face for the foreseeable future. With declines in state and federal aid, and a declining tax base we can not continue with business as usual.”

The letter in its entirety can be read at The Hendrick Hudson School District website.

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