The Chadron School Board has approved a new 2-year contract with the district’s Bargaining Unit II, which represents custodians, maintenance personnel, and bus drivers. The agreement covers the next 2 school years.
The contract language says both sides recognize that the development of a quality educational program for the children attending the public schools of Chadron is a joint responsibility best be achieved by all parties working toward common goals.
School Board President Tom Menke says that’s a great description of the negotiations for the new 2-year contract.
Under the agreement, the maximum starting wage for new custodians and maintenance personnel will be $14.00 per hour for next year and $15.00 per hour for 2025-26.
There will be no step movements on the salary scale for the 2 years. The scale has 31 steps and tops out at $25.66 per hour.
New activity bus drivers will be paid a minimum of $17.71 per hour straight time next year 2024-25 and $18.71 the second year. Daily bus drivers and returning activity bus drivers will make $19.15 per hour next year and $20.15 the following year.
All Unit II members will have health insurance under the Dual Choice program through EHA. Each employee has the choice of $1,450 deductible or $3,800 deductible that’s eligible for an HSA – Health Savings Account.
Those who choose the higher deductible will get the $1,350 difference between the two deposited by the district into an HSA for the employee on a per month basis.