A packed house of teachers and food service workers attended the Wyoming Valley West school board meeting on Wednesday, with contract concerns at the forefront. The Wyoming Valley West Education Association teachers filled the middle school auditorium, their presence a silent statement amidst ongoing negotiations.
Board President Charles Kamus, during his report, proposed adjourning the meeting to engage with the teachers, a move seemingly aimed at addressing the contract talks between the board and the teachers' union. The board voted to adjourn, and a brief executive session followed.
Kamus, at the February 4 work session, acknowledged progress in negotiations, stating, "We've narrowed down almost every subsection of the contract, but wages and benefits for our teachers remain on the table." He expressed optimism about reaching a new contract within a month.
Superintendent Charles Suppon Jr. shared a similar sentiment after the February 11 meeting, praising the teachers and emphasizing the importance of a swift agreement for the benefit of all stakeholders.
The last agreement, approved in April 2021, was a five-year contract that expired at the end of the 2024-25 school year. It included salary increases and changes to health care benefits and tuition reimbursement, resulting in modest average increases of 1.5%.
Board Vice President Nick Wilson provided an update on negotiations, stating that both parties have agreed on smaller concessions, with health care discussions ongoing. He highlighted the cost of providing 100% health coverage for staff, noting, "Wyoming Valley West professional staff do not contribute a dollar towards their healthcare, which amounts to over a million dollars in health coverage expenses for the district."
Wilson emphasized the board's commitment to negotiating in good faith while prioritizing the well-being of students, employees, and the community.
However, not everyone was willing to comment on the matter. Brian Tkaczyk, President of the Wyoming Valley West Education Association, declined to provide a statement.
The concerns of food service workers also came to light. Aramark employees, who work in district schools, attended the meeting to discuss their worries about a five-year food service contract going out for bid two years early.
Ellie Krasavage, manager of the Wyoming Valley West Middle School cafeteria, expressed disappointment, stating, "We do everything above and beyond for these children."
Board member Kamus explained that the board is required to put the contract out for bid every five years. Krasavage, with 25 years of experience working for Aramark in every school building in Wyoming Valley West, noted that it had never gone out for bid early during her tenure.
Robert Kachurak, the district's Business Manager, clarified that while it is a five-year contract, it is technically five one-year contracts, allowing for bids every year if the board chooses.
Kamus emphasized the board's due diligence with taxpayer dollars, explaining the decision to put the contract out for bid in the third year of the current five-year contract, as the current vendor was not the lowest bidder.
Aramark employee Kaleen Hoskins addressed the board, stating, "Meeting the food needs of each student means more than a profit. A true profit is a happy and full-belly child."
Kachurak explained that the state considers a matrix of different categories when choosing a food vendor, and Aramark had the highest score in the last bidding process, despite the guaranteed payback not being the sole deciding factor.
Kamus acknowledged that the district might not change food vendors, but various employees expressed concerns about job security, benefits, working conditions, and the quality of services if a new vendor were to be chosen.
Kim Troop, an Aramark employee, shared a statement originally intended for the board, highlighting the company's commitment to providing fresh, high-quality meals and the meaningful relationships built with students.
Ellie Krasavage agreed, emphasizing the personal connection with the students, stating, "The children are like our own. They come in, they know us, and when they need something, they get it."
Kamus and Suppon assured that if the board decided to change vendors, it would be written in the request for proposal that a new vendor must hire all current Aramark employees at the district, with equal or better pay and benefits.
"We want to make it clear that none of our current employees will lose their jobs. We will ensure they retain their positions with the new company," Kamus said.
The meeting concluded with a promise to continue negotiating and a commitment to protecting the interests of all stakeholders involved.
