Oregon schools to seek emergency levy in Nov.

8/1/2014

Oregon teachers will see no increase in their base pay for two years, and school district voters will face an emergency levy on the November ballot following action taken Thursday by the Board of Education.

The agreement between the school district and the Oregon City Federation of Teachers, reached in three meetings, is effective today through July 31, 2016, Superintendent Lonny Rivera said. The board approved the contract unanimously.

Teachers will receive no increase in base pay even as each school day increases by 15 minutes, or 6.5 more days of instruction a year, Mr. Rivera said.

“We were able to get that additional time without any additional base salary increases,” the superintendent said. Union members have ratified the deal.

The recently approved contract between the district and its classified employees also offered no base pay increases. Administrators, who are not organized, will not receive base pay increases either, Mr. Rivera said.

“All the employees agreed we need to hold the line on our expenses,” Mr. Rivera said.

The board agreed 4-1 to place a 5.9-mill, five-year levy on the ballot. Board member Jeff Ziviski voted no.

The measure’s status as an emergency levy means the district will collect a fixed amount each year — $2,853,950 — regardless of changes in property valuation, Mr. Rivera said. The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $207 a year.