The ball is in the Teacher's court

Now that the Board quickly approved the Arbitrator's report, the Teachers will spend the next week considering it. The Tribune-Review has more.

Teachers in Seneca Valley will need at least a week to consider a state arbitrator's report that recommends a contract with wage increases higher than the Butler County district offered.

The school board approved the proposed agreement, which includes average annual wage increases of 4.3 percent and new health care contributions during a five-year contract.

"I think it's a fair proposal," board President Dean Berkebile said Tuesday. "It's not the same as any of the proposals that have been put forward so far. It's clearly up to the teachers at this point. I hope they accept the proposal."

The teachers' union, which staged a 24-day strike in October and November, has until April 17 to accept or reject the factfinder's report.

"We have no comment on it at all. The proposal has to be looked at by several committees before a vote. We will need the next 10 days to consider it," said Butch Santicola, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, which represents the district's 575 teachers.

If this round of arbitration is not successful, teachers could strike a second time this year, although the number of days they would be allowed to strike is limited. The last day of classes in the district is June 27.