Kenai school board to consider teacher contract proposal

KENAI, Alaska (AP) – Alaska school employee associations have proposed a new contract to the district that would increase teacher salaries and health insurance.

The Peninsula Clarion reported Saturday that the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is expected to come to an agreement with the associations Monday.

District officials say the proposed contract cost would deplete the unassigned $3.9 million general fund balance savings and would still require additional funds.

The employee associations include Kenai Peninsula Education Association and Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association.

School employees say they voted in May to strike if contract negotiations became stagnant.

Officials say they announced a potential date of Sept. 16 last month, but it does not guarantee a strike.

Officials say the associations are required to give a 72-hour advance strike notice.

Information from: (Kenai, Alaska) Peninsula Clarion, http://www.peninsulaclarion.com