Arbitrator sides with school district over union

PALMER — An arbitration decision released today contains good news and bad news for the Mat-Su Borough School District.

The arbitrator asked to rule on the Mat-Su Borough School District's contract dispute with one of its unions has ruled in the district's favor. But his reasoning paints a financial picture of the district that can only be described as bleak.

Thomas F. Levak wrote in a decision the district released today that the district should not be forced to give the Classified Employee's Association members pay raises over last year.

“Quite simply, the district cannot afford to pay a salary increase and any increase would be contrary to the public interest. At this point, the district's financial status is extremely fragile, and any increase in salary, regardless how small, would likely tilt the district into a position where closures and/or layoffs would be the only remedy,” Levak wrote.

He also recommended an increase in CEA employees' contribution to their health plan should increase to 15 percent and urged the district to try and bargain down the level of health coverage offered, described in the decision as a Cadillac health plan.

Levak cited reasons for the precarious financial situation at the district — rampant inflation driving up the cost of everything from school supplies to employee health insurance to utilities.

For more of this story, check Sunday's Frontiersman.