H-H School Board Approves 3-Year Contract for Principals, Administrative Staff

Against the backdrop of projected tough budgetary times, the Hatboro-Horsham School Board on Monday night adopted a new three-year contract for its principals and non-cabinet level administrative staff which calls for a salary freeze the first year.

The agreement, which is retroactive from Sept. 1 and continues through August 2014, also includes the following highlights:

• Eligible administrators will receive a $500 bonus in recognition of their efforts in the 2010-11 school year.
• Base salary increases in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years that will be limited to the Act 1 index, which for 2012-2013 is an increase of 1.7 percent.
• Staff will have the potential to earn additional merit increases based on performance evaluation and achievement of goals.
• Medical benefit plans will be the same as those offered to teachers, with increased employee contributions for all plans.
• An option to revisit the agreement and make adjustments collaboratively should the impact of Act 1 affect the district’s ability to meet the financial obligations of the contract.

“We are pleased to have been able to reach an agreement with our administrators that enables us to reward outstanding performance while also maintaining fiscal responsibility,” said School Board President Barbara LaSorsa in a statement. “Striking that balance has become increasingly difficult for school districts, but I believe we accomplished it with this new contract.”

In a presentation a few minutes before the contract was approved, Bob Reichert, the district’s director of business affairs, painted a bleak picture for the 2012-2013 budget. The federal deficit, anticipated state funding cuts of up to 6 percent and the “stalling” economic recovery all will play a role in what he expects will be a difficult spending plan.

To further complicate matters, Reichert said the $998,000 in additional revenues that would be generated through the maximum 1.7 percent increase allowed under Act 1 would not cover the salary hikes totaling close to $1 million; the healthcare increases that will likely be more than $1 million; and the approximate $500,000 needed for pensions.

“We are going to continue to operate in a very uncertain environment,” Reichert said. “Identifying sustainable recurring cost-cutting measures that do not have a direct negative impact on our educational programming and student achievement is becoming more and more difficult.”

A put in place when the helped the district, in large part, balance the for the current spending plan. Ultimately, the district’s as a result of attrition and staff restructuring.

Citing the district’s declining enrollment – and as a way to “stay ahead” of budgetary problems - Horsham resident Gary Conner suggested that the district close “at least” one of its elementary schools and asked the board where that process stood.

Superintendent Curtis Griffin said the district would review its long-term facilities plan as the Horsham Land Reuse Authority’s process surrounding the continues to unfold. Hatboro-Horsham is tentatively expected to receive roughly 70 acres of the 860-acre tract for a new school. The HLRA’s joint meeting with township officials is slated for Wednesday at 7 p.m. and officials could begin firming up the site’s preferred redevelopment plan.

But, the actual redevelopment, Conner pointed out, could be as far as 12-15 years away.

“We have a need to consolidate now,” Conner said. “That doesn’t go away.”