The Rockford School Board agreed to keep its tax levy rate flat for the coming taxing cycle. Despite the board’s action last night, the tax rate is still expected to increase because of falling property values. The board could have raised the levy based on inflation, but decided to forego the additional revenue. Tying the levy to the consumer price index would have raised taxes on a $100,000 dollar home by $37.
The school board also approved contracts with secretaries and food service workers. According to a news release, the contracts for Nutrition Services and Paraprofessionals, represented by AFSCME, are four years, retroactive to July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2016.
Paraprofessionals and nutrition service workers will receive a 2 percent signing bonus, based on last year’s wages; a $1.10-per-hour market adjustment starting in the 2013/2014 school year; and a 2 percent pay increase effective July 1, 2014, and another 2 percent pay increase effective July 1, 2015.
The Educational Office Personnel Association contract is for three years. It provides a restructuring of clerical positions as well as a $0.75 hourly increase, starting in the 2013/14 school year. In the third year of the agreement, employees at the top of the pay scale will receive a lump sum bonus of $500.
Negotiations continue with the bus drivers union.