Council Rock board approves five-year contract with support-staff union, 8-0

At its April 23 meeting, the Council Rock School District Board of School Directors approved a five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Council Rock Education Support Professional Association, the union representing the district's support staff, by an 8-0 roll-call vote.

Mister Tate moved to approve the agreement "between the Council Rock Education Support Professional Association and the Council Rock School District as contained in the attachment to this agenda," and Miss Rickert seconded the motion. The board secretary recorded the vote as eight "yes" and zero "no." The motion was passed unanimously.

Board members publicly thanked the negotiating team and legal counsel. Mister Tate thanked "Miss Horner and Miss Stone and you Miss Khan for the extra hours you put in with the negotiations" and singled out solicitors and administrators for their contributions. Several trustees echoed appreciation for CRESPA's day-to-day work in schools and the role support staff play for students.

Anne Marie Milligan, president of the Council Rock Education Support Professional Association, addressed the board after the vote. "Reaching a collective bargaining agreement is never a simple task," Milligan said. "This agreement reflects that commitment. We believe this contract moves us forward in a positive way and provides meaningful benefits across our entire bargaining unit." She thanked Superintendent Dr. Sanko and district negotiators by name.

Superintendent Dr. Sanko read a written endorsement from board director Anne Horner, who said she "strongly support[s] the CRESPA team" but would be absent and unable to cast a vote. The superintendent and other directors said the contract brings stability and will help retain approximately 500 support staff who perform roles ranging from recess aides and hall monitors to teaching assistants and maintenance staff.

The contract was ratified by CRESPA earlier in the week; the board's approval finalizes the district-side acceptance. No dollar figures or specific wage adjustments were discussed on the record at the board meeting, and the terms of the agreement as contained in the agenda attachment were not read into the public record.

The board invited CRESPA leadership to the podium after the vote; Milligan and members of the union negotiating team thanked the board and expressed optimism about continued collaboration.

The board will recognize retirees and take up other district business at its next meeting in May. No further action on the contract was recorded in the meeting minutes.