Message from Board President
As a representative of the Board of Education and the Community, I am proud of the work and progress made regarding contracts for our Oriole staff. We have reached agreements with most of our employees, and feel that we are close to agreement with the CEA.
We have been in negotiations with the CEA since last January, and the District has presented 6 global proposals following our collaborative negotiation sessions. The vast majority of the article proposals are mutually agreed upon, including significant areas of compensation. The District has accepted the CEA’s most recent financial offer, which includes:
Largest pay raise in several years
Increase in the hourly rate for additional work
Increased sick day pay outs
Additional schedule B opportunities
Board supported increases in employee benefits across the district
At this time, we have only a few remaining areas of language to resolve, primarily related to arbitration. While the Board is offering expanded options for appeal, grievance, and mediation, we believe there should be reasonable limitations on the final step of arbitration due to the time and expense associated with arbitration fees and legal representation for both the MEA and the District.
Because we are so close to a complete contract, we began the mediation process in September. The use of a third party mediator is not a sign of negative relations. It is simply another step to help resolve these last remaining points and reach a settled contract more quickly, as we want to have our staff benefit from the financial aspects of the proposal.
5-Year Average Staff Retention Rate
District | Retention Rate | District | Retention Rate | District | Retention Rate |
STATEWIDE AVG | 77% | Charlotte | 81% | Holt | 88% |
Maple Valley | 84% | Grand Ledge | 79% | Ionia | 79% |
Marshall | 75% | Olivet | 73% | Eaton Rapids | 73% |
Potterville | 73% | Bellevue | 55% |
Link: https://www.mischooldata.org/michigans-education-staff/
We are committed to supporting our staff and students. We understand that retaining talented staff is essential to our continued success. CPS has a five year average staff retention rate of 81% compared with 77% statewide, and our retention rate is above several of our neighboring districts (MiSchoolData.org).
Thank you for your patience and support as we take the necessary steps for a positive resolution for our community.
Go Orioles! Oriole Pride!
Mr. Mark Byers- Charlotte Board of Education President
