Phila. school principals, administrators reach tentative labor pact

The union that represents Philadelphia School District principals and other administrators has reached a tentative labor agreement with the district.

The nearly 490 members of Local 502 of the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators (CASA) are scheduled to vote on the proposed pact next Wednesday at Samuel Fels High School in the Northeast. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.

CASA president Robert McGrogan confirmed Tuesday that a tentative agreement had been reached to replace the two-year contract that expires Aug. 31.

He said no details would be made public until after his members vote.

District spokesman Fernando Gallard also confirmed the agreement.

"The district will not at this time comment on the details of the tentative agreement," he said, adding that CASA would present the proposed terms to its members next week.

During the district's 2014 financial crisis, when there were concerns that schools might not open on time, CASA agreed to steep pay cuts and other concessions totaling $20 million, concluding that it had no choice but to help the district.

McGrogan said Tuesday that with the 2014 contract, his union had obtained the best terms it thought possible at that time.

"We certainly feel this is far better than that," he said.

At a City Council hearing on the district's budget last week, Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said the district was determined to reach new contracts this year with CASA as well as the union that represents blue-collar workers and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. The PFT contract expired in 2013.

martha.woodall@phillynews.com 215-854-2789 @marwooda