Batavia school support workers concede on benefits to save jobs

The Batavia Educational Support Personnel Association has agreed to a benefits concession, in exchange for keeping jobs.

The Batavia school board approved the measure Tuesday night.

BESPA represents about 110 full- and part-time employees, including classroom aides, special education assistants, school secretaries, nurses, custodians, maintenance workers and delivery drivers.

The agreement prohibits the board from reducing the staff by more than the equivalent of 22 full-time workers.

In exchange, the union agreed to rebate $150,000 from its health insurance fund to the district. The Batavia Education Association, which represents teachers and other certified workers, struck a similar deal in March.

The pact is part of the district's effort to lessen a projected budget deficit for the 2010-11 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

BESPA's five-year contract ends June 30, 2012.

The board is still negotiating the annual contracts of exempt personnel, including administrators and the superintendent.