The Herricks Board of Education voted to approve a two-year contract with the Herricks School District cafeteria workers at last Thursday’s school board meeting.
Terms of the new contract call for a retroactive 2012-13 wage increase of 1.25 percent and a 1.5 percent wage increase for 2013-14. The term of the new contract runs from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014.
The cafeteria workers prior three-year contract called for annual wage increases of 3 percent, according to Helen Costigan, Herricks assistant superintendent for business.
“Our cafeteria workers represent all the great qualities of America. They are extremely hard workers, understood the financial struggles of the district, and negotiated with that knowledge in mind,” said Jim Gounaris, president of the Herricks school board.
He said the district would cover 75 percent of the cost of health insurance for cafeteria workers considered full time under the contract.
Cafeteria workers with up to five years employment are eligible for eight sick days each year. Those with 5-10 years are eligible to receive nine sick days and those with 10 years or more are eligible for 10 sick days, Gounaris said.
He said the Herricks cafeteria and food services department is unique as a self-sustaining program, not supported by taxpayer dollars.
In other developments:
• Gounaris said the school board approved an agreement with the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts for the 2014 Herricks Middle School graduation on June 24 at a cost of $9,013 despite concerns among board members about last year’s middle school graduation at Tilles, which cost $8,836.
Board members, Gounaris said, complained that the air conditioning at Tilles was not working properly last year and there seemed to be a lack of ushers in comparison with graduation ceremonies in previous years.
“We questioned the increase based on the experience we had last year,” he said. “It was a little chaotic. It was not the usual organized event them provide us.”
Gounaris said district administrators were to talk to Tilles Center representatives about a financial accommodation on this year’s cost based on last year’s problems.
But on Friday, Gounaris said, the board was informed that middle school Principal Joan Keegan had already complained to Tilles representatives and sought a cost reduction.
Gounaris said Tilles said a reduction of the 2014 fee would not be possible. But Tilles did agree to offer more services, including use of audio/visual equipment as part of this year’s package.
• Herricks Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Deirdre Hayes announced that four Herricks High School students have earned recognition in the national Siemens Competition in Science, Math and Technology. Sophomore Sahil Abbi has been named a regional finalist; senior Brandon Yu, junior Byeongho Jumg and freshman Bongseok Jung were named semifinalists.
• Hayes also announced that Herricks junior Taylor Cosme is the Nassau County Girls Tennis singles champion.
• Continuing with the district’s preparation of its new Compass Learning On Line Enrichment Program for all students in grades K through 8, the district will be hold parent training events on the Compass Learning program, with he first training session scheduled for Nov. 13 for parents, followed by training sessions on Nov. 18 and 25.
Details about the sessions will be mailed to parents and will also be available on the school district Web site (www.herricks.org).
