Teachers stage informational picket outside Aspira's Olney Charter

Unionized teachers at Olney Charter High School, who have been negotiating with Aspira Inc. of Pennsylvania for more than a year, held a noontime informational picket Thursday to press for a salary schedule to stem staff turnover.

"We want a fair and stable salary schedule and a fair contract," said teacher Elizabeth Cesarini, who was among approximately 50 staffers who demonstrated.

Cesarini, who teaches students who are learning English, said the Alliance for Charter School Employees has proposed a standard pay structure with wages based on years of experience. Aspira wants a merit-based salary system.

"We're pleased to have reached tentative agreements in a significant number of contract areas," Aspira said in a statement. "We are now discussing economics, and we plan to continue negotiating in good faith."

Cesarini said a pay schedule would help keep staff and provide stability for students. "We have had a high staff turnover, and it's partly why the district's charter office recommended our nonrenewal," she said.

The alliance is an affiliate of AFT Pennsylvania. The Olney unit represents 113 teachers, nurses, counselors, and instructional assistants.

The School Reform Commission turned once-troubled Olney over to Aspira in 2010 to convert to a charter as part of an academic turnaround plan.

Citing concerns about academic performance and Aspira's management and financial practices, the charter office has recommended that Aspira's operating agreement for Olney not be renewed.