New Kensington-Arnold reports progress in teacher contract talks
New Kensington-Arnold School District officials are optimistic that teachers will have a new contract before classes resume next month.
The district’s teachers have been working without a contract for almost two years. The last contract ended on Aug. 31, 2017.
At a school board meeting Thursday, Superintendent John Pallone said union and district officials last met on July 18. He called the negotiating session “productive” and “very encouraging.”
No further negotiating sessions are scheduled, he said.
Pallone said district officials are hopeful that a new contract will be in place before students return to classes on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Phillip Cope, a spokesman for the New Kensington-Arnold Education Association, offered little comment.
“The only comment that my association will allow me to say right now is that the negotiations are ‘ongoing,’” he said.
The union represents about 160 teachers and other professionals in the district.
The school board is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, Aug. 22 — six days before classes start.
Pallone said the district is looking to fill three full-time teaching positions in art, music and special education. The openings resulted from retirements and resignations.
The starting salary is $47,700, plus benefits, according to Pallone.
“It’s not a bad job,” he said.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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