Teachers in two southeast Iowa school districts are looking for pay raises.
The Keokuk Education Association and the Burlington Education Association have each made their initial contract offers for next year to their respective districts.
Keokuk’s teachers are seeking a $1,000 increase in the base pay for new faculty to $31,745.
The salaries for veteran teachers would increase accordingly based on experience and education.
They are also looking to change two pieces of language from the current contract.
One would require a student’s Friday to end at 3:00 P.M. so teachers could spend more time, before or after school, with students.
The Keokuk Education Association would also like to change sick leave to general leave to give teachers more flexibility for scheduling days off of work.
There would also be a provision allowing reimbursement for several unused days each year.
Meanwhile, Burlington’s teachers are seeking a $1,368 increase in the base pay, to roughly $31,500.
They also want to reduce the number of meetings held before or after school from 12 to 6.
The Burlington Education Association also wants to receive a pass for admittance to all district-sponsored events and functions.
The Burlington and Keokuk School Districts are expected to make counter-offers this week.
