Local News

Fond Memories and Future Success for Upper Perk Graduates

Written by Jennifer Butler Kirkwood, Correspondent Wednesday, 23 June 2010 13:47

Upper Perk High School 2010 graduates Samantha Ganter and Sarah Carlson, left, and Megan Ganter and Julia Hoffman share hugs as they celebrate at the end of graduation ceremonies last Wednesday.

On Wednesday, June 16, students entered the Upper Perkiomen High School gymnasium for the 2010 commencement exercises, beginning an evening that highlighted fond memories, gratitude and encouragement to strive for both success and service.

Rebecca Collodonato, ranked third in the graduating class of 224 students, began the commencement by reminding classmates that the best way to “express appreciation…is to pay it forward.”

“Don’t let down those who have worked so hard to build you up. Serve yourself by serving others,” Collodonato said.

Salutatorian Katelynn Ondek encouraged students to strive for excellence and stop “letting well enough alone.”

“Our biggest rival should be ourselves,” Ondek explained, adding, “This country is looking to this generation to be the hope of the future.”

Class Valedictorian Liam Smith told the audience about the important lessons he learned during his four years at Upper Perk, the first being the need for support from family and friends.

“Whether you have a single best friend or a million Facebook friends, everyone understands the importance of that,” Smith said.

Smith thanked the staff of Upper Perkiomen High School for continued support, especially the teachers, saying “None of us could have survived without the help of our teachers.”

Senior Class President Jocelyn Elias focused on fond memories of both high school and the Upper Perkiomen Valley in general.

“You throw a couple hundred kids together in a small town with nothing to do and, low and behold, we come together,” Elias joked, adding on a more sentimental note, “Upper Perk is our home...the valley is our home.”

Principal William Shirk presented the graduating class to School Board president Harold Quinque, emphasizing the many achievements of the students. Shirk noted, for example, that 73% of the graduating class have committed to continuing their education beyond high school. In addition, 28 students received certificates of completion from the Western Center for Technical Studies, with 4 students receiving awards during the WCTS senior ceremonies.

At the Senior Awards Ceremony on June 1, 44 students received a total of 80 local awards. Shirk informed the audience that while that figure totaled more than $55,000, in addition the class of 2010 received college and private scholarships worth an amazing $1,495,819.

Superintendent Dr. Timothy Kirby advised graduates that the key to success is strong values and hard work and to measure success according to those standards, noting that many successful people, “simply, quietly raise a family, work hard, and take care of their kids.”

“Set your compass in a chosen direction and focus your attention and your effort completely on preparation,” Kirby said. “If you do, you can’t miss.”

District and Teachers Agree on Two-Year Contract

Written by Kelly Chandler, Staff Writer Wednesday, 23 June 2010 13:33

Educators get 3 percent raise, concede health care benefits, tuition reimbursement

The Upper Perkiomen Education Association (UPEA) and the Upper Perkiomen School District shook hands Tuesday night on a two-year teachers’ contract that saw both sides making concessions, but was ultimately deemed “fair.”

The contract, which was negotiated without outside mediation after about 15 meetings, will be in effect from September 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012.

A tentative agreement was reached June 17. The 220 teachers of the UPEA voted to accept the terms of the agreement around 3:30 p.m. June 22.

The school board voted 6-3 to accept that contract, with directors Rob Pepe, Margie Gehlhaus and John Gehman voting nay, later that night.

Under the terms of the contract, the UPEA agreed to reduced medical and prescription coverage and higher medical co-pays from 5.5 to 10 percent the first year and 12 percent the second year. Tuition reimbursements will also be reduced by about 25 percent.

All co-curricular salaries, for positions like coaches and advisors, will also be frozen for two years and all teachers currently progressing through the salary schedule will receive a wage freeze for six months before receiving their next raise.

The agreement also calls for a salary increase of 3.01 for the first year and a 3.30 increase the second year. Teachers at the highest part of the salary spectrum will receive a 1.9 percent increase the first year and a 1.3 percent increase the second year.

Those increases are below the average for surrounding districts.

Teachers will also have one less work day per year, reduced from 191 to 190. Other changes included a minor expansion to bereavement leave, the addition of an emergency day and an increase in reimbursement for unused sick days at retirement. Teachers are also allowed to donate their unused personal days to colleagues in need.

The terms of the contract, including the salary increase and medical expenses, will fall within what was budgeted by the school board in its 2010-11 final budget approved June 17. The salary increase was budgeted at 2 percent but higher co-pays and other insurance reductions will counter those expenses.

Overall, both sides said they were satisfied with the outcome.

UPEA President Bob LaSalle, noting that many districts are still negotiating contracts for next year or are working without one, said the most important factor is that both sides worked together to find a balance.

He said because of economic concerns, the financial impact of each decision weighed heavily for both sides.

“Despite the length of time and number of meetings, there was never any hostility,” he said Wednesday. “This was fair for both sides. Any time you come out of contract talks and have made concessions to your medical coverage, your prescription coverage, increased the co-pays for insurance and reduced the tuition reimbursement package, you have to say you made a lot of concessions to get there…The trade-off to all of this was that we were able to negotiate a small increase in salary and address some other issues that don’t have a heavy financial impact on the district.

“No one currently working as a regular, full-time teacher will lose their job. This allows us to continue to improve upon our current programs and tackle new issues. We also get two years of continuing to work together uninterrupted without distraction in order to make our schools better and improve student achievement.”

School Board President Harry Quinque agreed.

“We are really happy to have a settlement,” he said. “The kids get to go to school in September and not have this on our backs. There were ups and downs, but in the end both sides gained. There were things each did and didn’t want, but that’s what negotiations are all about.

“This sets the stage for the next contract with gains in health care and credit reimbursements…Ultimately I think we came away with a contract we can afford. We tried really hard to do what was best for the community.”