Upper St. Clair Teachers to Vote on Contract Modifications

Teachers will vote Friday evening on whether to accept a proposal from the that would modify their current contracts.

Superintendent Patrick O'Toole said at that if the teachers reject the proposal, the district will need to move forward with , which will include the elimination of programs and the furlough of 30 to 40 professional employees.

If teachers approve the proposal, O'Toole said administrators are prepared to present a budget to the school board that would incorporate the savings provided for in the proposal.

Administrators have been in discussions with the Upper St. Clair Education Association, the collective bargaining agent for Upper St. Clair teachers, concerning modifications to the teacher contract.

"These modifications would significantly assist the school district in the budget process," O'Toole said. "We have negotiated a proposal with the leadership of the association, and the leadership explained and recommended the proposal to the teachers earlier this week."

The proposal is subject to ratification by the teachers Friday evening.

"I am hopeful that the proposal we have negotiated with union leadership will be
approved," O'Toole said.

If teachers approve the proposal, it will be presented to the school board for approval at a special school board meeting scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, April 20.

O'Toole could not reveal what contract modifications are being proposed. Two years remain on the existing teacher contracts.

Editor's Note: Keep checking back to Upper St. Clair Patch as we continue to follow this developing story.

What are your thoughts on the proposal to modify the Upper St. Clair School District's teachers' contracts? Do you think the teachers should approve the proposal Friday? Tell us in the comments.