BY STACI WILSON

An audience member responded to a public letter from the school board and urged Blue Ridge School Directors to work to resolve the contract dispute with the teachers’ union at the Monday, March 7 meeting.

He also asked for an explanation on the funding formula used by the district for the self-funded health care plan and called the formula “ambiguous.”
He added that teachers in the Blue Ridge district were some of the lowest paid in Susquehanna County.

Board president Chris Lewis responded that the average salary in Susquehanna County was about $44,000; where the average Blue Ridge teacher was paid about $55,000.

“No one said our teachers do not do a fabulous job,” Lewis said. He added that the governor is holding school funding “hostage” with Blue Ridge short about $7 million.

The Blue Ridge Education Association (BREA) has been without a contract for two years and announced a strike date of March 29 if the contract is not settled.

The board and union negotiators have meetings scheduled prior to the strike date.

The board also transferred $1 million from the general fund into the self-funded medical account for the 2015-16 school year.

In other business, the board approved a five-year transportation partnership beginning in the 2016-17 school year with the following contractors: Samuel Cosmello, Hawk Busing, Lewis Busing, Martin MacGeorge, and Rebecca MacGeorge.

Parent, community and business representatives were appointed to serve on the Professional Education Subcommittee for the Comprehensive Planning Cycle, 2017-20. Those appointed were: Bill Marvin, Hallstead; Scott Glezen, Hallstead; Stefanie Allen, New milford; Katie Ksenich, New Milford; Joanne Rivenburgh, New Milford; and Wes Parks, Susquehanna.

The next Blue Ridge school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, at 7 p.m. in the elementary school cafeteria.