Michigan's Troy teachers picket to demand more pay, district vows to use some surplus to raise wages

DETROIT — Educators in Troy Community Schools took to the picket line this week to demand better wages, asking school officials to use part of the district's $32 million surplus to boost starting teacher pay to attract newcomers.

Teachers in the Troy Education Association have been working under an expired contact since Jan. 31. Both union and district officials remain at the table this month to negoitate a new contract, said Jason Cichowicz, president of the TEA. The union wants the district to spend more money to make salaries competitive, he said,.

"Our goal is to get a teacher contract that recruits, retains, and respects Troy teachers. Our students deserve a talented teacher in each of our classrooms," Cichowicz said.

More than 400 educators formed a picket line on Tuesday outside the district offices on Livernois Road just ahead of the school board meeting that night. Michigan Education Association president Chandra Madafferi joined the group. Picketers returned on Wednesday.

Troy superintendent Richard Machesky says the district is working with a mediator to complete a contract that addresses several areas. The district will use some of its $32 million reserve to hike wages, he says. It has been negotiating since Nov. 23 with the union, holding 15 sessions so far.

"It has always been the goal to maintain Troy teachers amongst the highest paid in Michigan. It's our goal to restore our teachers to that point where are amongst the highest paid," Machesky said.

Progress has been made on the contract, Machesky said, with agreements reached on new language in several areas and both sides are getting close to an agreement on a school calendar. New language specific to para-professionals that needs to be updated due to legislative action remains unresolved, he said.

"We are one of the first districts to be in negotiations where we have to address issues around para-pros. They are taking a while and we want to get it right," Machesky said.

The contract covers 750 to 800 teachers. Cichowicz said 20 teachers have retired and it's not clear if those positions will be absorbed through attrition.

"With the contracts we have had, we won't fill the vacancies. Some teachers have said they want to look elsewhere," Cichowicz said. "If you look at Novi's salary schedule, it starts in mid-50s. In Troy, the starting wage is $43,650. I can tell you our goal is to lift everybody up."

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