Detailed Analysis of Mona Shores' Teacher Contract

The following is a detailed analysis of the current Mona Shores Public Schools union contract that covers teachers as well as a few other employee groups. The district employs about 230 teachers and enrolls 3,800 students. Of its $34 million operating budget, about 67 percent goes toward paying employees working under this contract.

Salary Schedule

• Base salaries are determined strictly by "steps," which use a matrix of years experience and graduate credit hours and degrees.
• There are 13 "steps" on the schedule, meaning teachers get automatic two to nine percent pay raises for their first 12 years in the district.
• The entire salary schedule increases by 2 percent each year.
• 73 percent of teachers have graduate degrees and 73 percent have more than five years experience, meaning the vast majority of teachers' base salary is between $49,184 and $71,464.
• The Michigan Department of Education reported the average teacher salary in Mona Shores in 2008-09 was $58,455.
• Longevity pay:
  • 15-19 years: $757
  • 20-24 years: $1,515
  • 25+ years: $2,272

Fringe Benefits

• The district's current health insurance plan for teachers cost between $12,804 and $15,238 per teacher in 2009.
• Teachers are not required to contribute to the cost of the premium, unless they choose the higher priced plan (about $200 per month).
• The average family premium for a health plan in Michigan cost $13,160 in 2009, with employees contributing 21 percent ($2,800) of those costs.
• Each teacher who does not enroll in a medical insurance plan gets $192 per month.
• The district reimburses up to $35,000 per year for prescription drug costs.
• The district also provides at no cost to teachers dental, vision, life ($40,000) and long-term disability insurance.

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)
• Annual starting pension based on 30 years experience in Mona Shores with base salary of $71,464 (final M.A. step): $32,159 (for most retirees, this amount increases by 3 percent every year)
• Reimbursement for unused sick days at retirement:
• $15 each for 1-50 days
• $20 each for 51-99 days
• $25 each for 100+ days
• Retirement Bonus: $1,000 per year of service (max of $12,500)
• Notification of retirement 60 days in advance: $500
• Annual supplemental insurance payments: $1,750-$3,000
• Annual contribution of $250 into 403(b) account

Bonus Pay for Additional Duties or Certification

• Any teacher receiving longevity pay can earn another $757 by participating in a "professional recognition program."
• Event Coordinator: $5,870-$7,385
• Department Chair: $1,515-$3,408
• Guidance Director: $2,652
• Teaching oversized class (depends on number of students over limits and average teacher salary): $2,000-$5,000 per year
• Preparation time interrupted: $22.50 per unit lost
• Supervision of recess over 75 periods: $8.50 per period
• Supervision of study hall: $22.50 per period
• Elementary parent-teacher conferences after school hours in the second semester: $30 per hour
• Attending more than four Individualized Education Plan meetings after school hours: $21 per meeting
• The district will reimburse the renewal fee for their state of Michigan licensing and all other state-required certifications.
• Summer employment:
  • Instructional planning: $30/hour
  • Curriculum projects: $120/day
• Teacher Mentoring:
  • First year teacher: $758
  • Second year teacher: $569
  • Third year teacher: $ 378
• Mentor Training (one time): $758
• Subbing for a regular class: $22.50

Work Schedule/Environment

• Contractual year: 183 days
  • Student instruction days: 180 Days
• Work day:
  • Elementary and middle school: 7 hours, 35 minutes
  • High School: 7 hours, 45 minutes
• Total work year: 1,350 hours
• National average for all occupations: 1,792 hours
• Maximum class size: 25-30, depending on grade level and type of class
• No more than 2 evening parent-teacher meetings per year
• Duty-free lunch:
  • Elementary: 35 minutes
  • Secondary: 30 minutes
• Maximum teaching loads:
  • Elementary: 5 and one-half hours
  • Middle school: 5 periods per day
  • High school: 5 periods per day
• Teaching clerks and aids cannot act as substitute teachers

Leave Time/Sick Days

• Personal leave: 3 days.
• Union gets 20 paid teacher absences for its activities.
• Sick leave allowance: 10 days
  • Unlimited accumulation
• Paid leave:
  • Jury duty
  • Subpoenaed as witness
  • School visitations, conference or conventions
  • "Selective service physical examination"
  • National Guard or Military Reserves (30 days)
• Bereavement:
  • 5 days, immediate family
  • 3 days, relative
  • 1 day, non-relative
• Unpaid leave:
  • Child Care (two years)
  • Campaigning for and serving in MEA/NEA office
  • Military leave
  • Exchange teaching position
  • Study in teacher's major field
  • Study related to teaching certification

Extra Curricular Activities Compensation (based on years of experience)