Board ratifies three‑year planned operations and maintenance contract; district estimates $378,000 cost

The Winona Area Public Schools Board ratified a three‑year contract with the district’s planned operations and maintenance employee unit.

Key terms presented by human resources staff (Dawn Lueck): - Wage increases: 3 percent for each of the three years of the contract. - Career increment: a $600 step after year 15 and for each subsequent year thereafter. - Sick‑leave buyback: increased days for employees with large accumulated balances (examples given: at 320 hours the buyback increases from 2 to 5 days; at 640 hours from 4 to 8 days). - Probationary period: reduced from 12 months to 90 days for new hires under the unit agreement. - Overtime and comp time: clarified that sick days taken during a week with overtime still count toward overtime calculations; comp‑time accrual increased from 40 to 60 hours. - Other clarifications: pool license stipend language and housekeeping language changes to align titles (director to supervisor).

Cost and fiscal note: staff estimated the contract’s total cost at just over $378,000 for the three years, with a first‑year cost of approximately $69,000. The immediate budgetary impact on the approved fund balance was described as about 0.08 percent. Staff also estimated a possible additional severance cost (based on long‑tenured employees who meet retirement eligibility) of roughly $32,000 over a longer time horizon, noting that timing of retirements is uncertain.

Board action: The board moved, seconded and approved the contract in the public meeting. Directors thanked negotiators and staff who participated in the bargaining team.

Implication: The contract takes effect for the three‑year term described in bargaining documents and will be implemented through payroll and human resources processes; the district will monitor budget effects in future fiscal reviews.