Board reports negotiations with teachers' union remain "several million dollars apart"

Members of the Haverford Township School District board negotiating team updated the public Aug. 21 on contract talks with the Haverford Township Education Association (HTEA), saying the parties have met with a state mediator but remain "several million dollars apart" on total cost issues.

Miss Lee, speaking for the negotiating team, said the district and HTEA have met since January in multiple formats, including large and small group sessions and with a state mediator from Harrisburg. She said the outstanding issues center on salary increases for educators and proposed changes to the district healthcare plan. "While some progress has been made to date, the parties remain several million dollars apart," Lee said.

Lee said the current collective-bargaining agreement expires Aug. 31 but noted schools will open as scheduled on Sept. 2. She reiterated the board’s stated position that any contract must be affordable within the district budget and must leave room to fund other employee agreements, curriculum and special programs, building upkeep and other expenditures.

The statement noted that tax-limit rules under Pennsylvania’s Act 1 index constrain the district’s ability to raise revenues for contract costs and that the index is expected to decrease over coming years. The board said it will continue to update the community as negotiations proceed and that the evening’s written update will be posted on the district website.

No vote or new contract was recorded during the public meeting; the item was presented as an informational update from the board negotiating team.