Detailed Analysis of St. Joseph's Teacher Contract

The following is a detailed analysis of the current St. Joseph Public Schools union contract that covers teachers as well as a few other employee groups. The district employs about 170 teachers and enrolls 2,800 students. Of its $22 million operating budget, about 67 percent goes toward paying employees working under this contract.

Salary Schedule

• Base salaries are determined strictly by a matrix based on years of experience and graduate credit hours and degrees.
• St. Joseph teachers receive small raises for their first five years, but in their sixth year (and 20 graduate credit hours) get a 35 percent increase.
• From years 6 to 10, automatic 2 percent pay raises are worked into the schedule.
• After 10 years (and earning a Master's), teachers get a 19 percent base salary increase, and this amount increases by about 3 percent each year up to a teacher's 16th year in the district.
• 65 percent of teachers have graduate degrees and 69 percent have more than 5 years experience, meaning most teachers' base salary is between $49,347 and $71,061.
• The Michigan Department of Education reported the average teacher salary in St. Joseph in 2008-09 was $57,861.

Fringe Benefits

• Each teacher receives $950 per month for the cost of their health insurance premium.
• The district offers three different health insurance options to teachers: a basic, PPO and high-deductible/health savings account plan.
• Details of the plans can be found here.
• In 2009, the district spent $1.65 million on teacher insurance benefits.

Pension and Retirement Benefits

• Every teacher participates in the state-run Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System, a defined-benefit lifetime pension system.
• Pension calculation: highest 3-year average compensation X 1.5 percent X years of service.
• After 55, subsidized medical, dental and vision insurance for life (employees never contribute more than 18 percent of premiums).
• Starting annual pension based on 30 years experience in St. Joseph with base salary of $71,061 (final M.A. step): $31,977 (for most employees, this amount increases by 3 percent every year).

Bonus Pay for Additional Duties or Certification

• Guidance director: $4,229-$4,398
• Department leadership (16): $1,100 per year
• Vertical steering representation (5): $1,100 per year
• Driver's education director: $1,762-$1,832
• Teaching a class that exceeds the class size limit: $500 per student per year
• Reimbursement for unused sick days at retirement: $35 per day
• Mentoring new teacher:
  • Year 1: $1060
  • Year 2: $705
  • Year 3: $385
• Teachers get $30/hour for:
  • Any extra regular teaching duties beyond school day or year
  • Subbing during a preparation period
  • Summer school
  • Summer music, athletic or recreational programs
  • Curriculum development
• Teaching extra class assignments: $11,500
• Obtaining credits towards a Master's degree: $30-$75 per semester hour reimbursement (not to exceed $3,200 per year)

Work Schedule/Environment

• Contractual year: 175 days
  • 165-167 student instruction days
  • 8 half-days for parent-teacher conference preparation
• Work day:
  • Elementary: 7 hours, 50 minutes (50-minute duty-free lunch)
  • Middle school: 7 hours, 30 minutes (24-minute duty-free lunch)
  • High school: 7 hours, 31 minutes (28-minute duty-free lunch)
• Total work week may not exceed 39.25 hours.
• Total work year: 1,313 hours
• National average for all occupations: 1,792 hours
• Preparation time:
  • Elementary: 200 minutes per week
  • Middle school: 1 regular class period
  • High school: 1 regular class period
• Maximum daily direct instruction:
  • Middle school: 285 minutes
  • High school: 300 minutes
• Maximum class size: 20-28, depending on the grade level
• Teachers may not be required to:
  • Collect lunch or milk money (unless in case of an emergency)
  • Supervise safety patrol
  • Supervise lunch or recess
  • Supervise more than 60 minutes per week (elementary)

Leave Time/Sick Days

• 12 annual leave days per year may be used for the following:
  • Family illness: 10 days
  • Funeral: 3 days
  • Discretionary: 3 days
• Leave days may accumulate to 100
• Paid extended leave:
  • Family bereavement (3-5 days)
  • Jury duty
  • Approved conferences, meetings, conventions or workshops
  • Teacher conferences
  • Professional visitation days
  • Acting as officer or board member of MEA
• Unpaid extended leave: (teachers returned to same or equitable position about return)
  • Short term personal leave (10 days maximum)
  • Extended personal leave (2 semesters)
  • Campaign for or serve in public office (1 year)
  • Peace Corps (1 year)
  • Job Corps (1 year)
  • Foreign exchange program (1 year)
  • MEA staff member (2 years)
  • Maternity/Adoption/Parental/Child Care (1 year)
  • Sabbatical (1 year)

Extra Curricular Activities Compensation