School board rejects Delco labor report

DELAWARE COUNTY

Ridley school board

rejects labor report

RIDLEY PARK The Ridley school board unanimously rejected a state fact-finder's report on how to end its stalemate with the teachers union, which had accepted the report.

The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board fact-finder recommended that the district and teachers split the difference on what each side proposed in wage increases.

On other issues, the report took no position on teachers' calling for increased prep time. Both sides agree on the increase in health-care costs, but the board wants it tied to lower salary increases.

"We are extremely disappointed that the board chose to reject the fact-finder's report," said Brian Forney, president of the Ridley Education Association, which represents 422 teachers. "If anything, the REA should be rejecting this report, not the board."

Superintendent Lee Ann Wentzel said the board, which voted, 9-0, Monday night against the report, "did not feel that the fact-finder's report reflected the needs of the taxpayers of the district."

"If salary is going to be one number, there has to be a little more on contribution on the benefits side to balance it out," she said. - Kathy Boccella