Schools

Rocky Point Contract Ties Teacher's Raises with Tax Cap

Contract resolved after two years of negotiations.

The Rocky Point School District and their teacher’s association have approved a new labor contract that ties teacher’s raises in with the imposed tax cap.

The contract, which was resolved after more than two years of negotiations, runs from July 1, 2011 through July 30, 2020, carries no salary increases for the first two years, a 0.65 percent incrase for each of the next two years and ties future compensation to the New York State Tax Cap.

 The agreement reads in part:

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Under these stipulations, increases will amount to 0.7 percent of the calculated tax levy percentage increase or the maximum allowable tax levy percentage increase as per the state tax cap, whichever is greater, provided that no annual increase shall be greater than 1 percent nor less than 0.5 percent. However, should the calculation call for an increase of less than 1 percent in both 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, an automatic 1 percent increase will be implemented in 2017-2018. With a ceiling increase of 1 percent and a minimum base of 0.5 percent, both parties are protected from outside contributing factors and the district is provided stability with regard to future financial planning. In the event the tax cap no longer exists or is substantially altered, both parties will renegotiate these terms.

Sixty-two percent of voters agreed to pierce the tax cap for the 2011-12 school year. This year's budget, which was approved, did not exceed the cap and projects a 3.56 percent tax levy.

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“Given these difficult economic times, this contract reiterates our school district’s commitment to long-range financial planning,” said Board of Education President Michael Nofi.

This comes on the heels of an earlier agreement reached between the district and the Rocky Point Administrators’ Association. 

Touted as the first of its kind among unionized New York State administrators, this agreement runs through June 2015 and introduces a goals-based incentive pay program. Administrators are required to establish annual goals that represent rigorous initiatives and to identify ways to measure their success in attaining these goals. An administrator who effectively accomplishes his/her goals will receive additional compensation beyond their annual contractual step increases.

 “This unique approach of goal-based incentives not only benefits our administrators professionally but also our educational program as a whole,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Ring. “In essence we are asking our administrators to think outside the box and to go beyond their traditional responsibilities, as key partners in our mission of increasing academic outcomes for our students.”

“We are glad to have concluded this process with an agreement we feel will provide our district and membership with a level of certainty and sustainability for the next several years,” said Rocky Point Teachers Association President Michael Friscia.

The previous contract expired on June 30, 2011, the teachers have been working under the terms and conditions of their former contract, an arrangement stipulated in the Triborough Amendment of the Taylor Law.

 “The RPTA looks forward to continuing to work as partners in education with the school district and to meet the learning needs of the children of Rocky Point," said Friscia.


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