-
What's the impact of no raise in 2009-10?
It's a pay freeze. The 2009-10 salary schedules and rates will not increase. There will be no retroactive pay on last year's earnings.
-
Why did our union's teacher bargaining team agree to a pay freeze?
The pay freeze and certain health insurance concessions were necessary to reach a voluntary settlement.
Our team analyzed arbitration as an alternative and concluded it posed a high risk that more severe concessions would be imposed.
-
If you're not at the top of the schedule, will the 1st-year freeze affect the increment (step) increase you received during 2009-10?
No. If your salary was below the schedule maximum, it automatically increased one step last year and will increase each year until you reach the top step.
-
For 2010-11, the agreement provides a 3% "non base building" raise. Is this new?
Yes. Teachers will be paid a 3% raise on all earnings between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. The raise, rather than appearing on each paycheck, will be paid in 2 lump sums:
- December 24, 2010
- June 24, 2011
Salary schedules and rates will remain the same as in 2008-09.
The 3% raise won't increase your salary rate to a higher base amount for subsequent raises. This is the down side of a "non-base building" raise.
In the past, our teacher team has not agreed to School Board proposals for this type of raise. It is clearly a gain, but it's also concessionary.
-
Why will this year's raise be paid in 2 lump sums?
The district bargained for this payment method so it can use the same calculations process it uses for retroactive payments, which have a track record of accuracy and efficiency.
-
To which 2010-11 earnings will the 3% raise apply?
The raise will apply to your base salary and extra earnings.
Your base salary is the amount paid for your step and lane on the salary schedule. It is noted on your paycheck as "contract pay."
Extra earnings include:
- summer school (days worked after June 30, 2010)
- class coverage
- coaching
- professional development after school, on Saturday, or during the summer
- playground duty; etc.
-
What time periods will the lump sum payments cover?
December 24, 2010 paycheck: all contract earnings from July 1, 2010 through the end of December, 2010.
June 24, 2011 paycheck: all contract earnings from January 1, 2011 through June, 2011.
-
Will the federal income tax withholding rate on both lump sums be 25%?
Yes. MPS will comply with IRS rules by withholding at the 25% rate, as it does on retroactive payments.
Example: 18% of your pay is normally withheld for federal income tax. You receive a $600 lump sum payment in December, $142 will be withheld at the 25% rate, this is about $39 more than your 18% rate.
-
Could the withholding rate be more than 25%?
Yes. If your normal rate is higher than 25%, IRS requires MPS to withhold the higher amount.
-
How will the raises for 2011-12 and 2012-13 be implemented?
2011-12: 2.5% raise takes affect July 1, 2011.
2012-13: 3% raise takes affect July 1, 2012.
Both raises will increase all salary schedules and rates, building the base for future contract raises.