Report on the Fact Finder's Report

Following the guidelines of Act 88, the District filed a request for fact-finding in early April. A hearing was held on May 7, 2008, where both the District and the Union were granted the opportunity to present testimony and submit documentary evidence. The Fact Finder issued his Report on May 20, 2008 and distributed copies to both parties. The District appreciates the Fact Finder’s diligent efforts. To view the Report, go to the bottom of this page. The Report made the following primary recommendations:

• Increase the salary schedule so that the total increase will be approximately 3% per year for 3 years.
• Make no changes to the current health insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, prescription drug, or vision care plans.
• Make no changes to the teachers' assignment schedules.
• Make no changes to the excused absence policy.

After reviewing the Report, the Board of School Directors has voted not to accept it for two primary reasons. First, the District cannot agree to recommendations that make absolutely no changes to the current health and prescription drug plans. As noted elsewhere, Neshaminy is the only District in Bucks County where teachers make no contribution to the cost of their health care premiums. Second, the Report did not address numerous other bargaining issues that are of concern to the District, including (but not limited to):

• Number of steps on the salary schedule
• Costs associated with the retirement incentive package
• Length of the work day and number of work days in the year
• Automatic salary credit for graduate-level courses that are not part of a formal Master's Degree program

Although we have not accepted the recommendations in the Fact Finder’s Report, we look forward to good faith bargaining with the Union in order to reach agreement on a contract that is fair and equitable to all, including staff, Neshaminy taxpayers and students. NFT Fact Finding Report 2008