Sto-Rox school employees have accepted a wage freeze for the 2011-12 school year -- making their district the latest among dozens that have frozen pay in the face of statewide budget cuts.
In a contract deal announced Thursday, district teachers accepted a pay freeze for the coming year, with a 3 percent raise set for the 2012-13 year.
In separate contract continuations, administrative and support personnel also accepted pay freezes for next year. Those employees include office and custodial staff.
"I'm very proud and pleased with our entire staff," acting superintendent James Manley said. "Everybody right now ... is taking a freeze."
The agreements follow a June 24 budget approval that managed to avoid furloughs by cutting open positions and spending in supplies, transportation and technology. Some long-term substitute positions also will be cut, Mr. Manley said.
Sto-Rox took a $1.3-million funding hit in the recently passed state budget, leaving it with $22 million budget this year -- a 7 percent decrease from its previous budget.
After Gov. Tom Corbett first proposed public school cuts in his March budget, he recommended wage freezes as a means for districts to save some $400 million statewide.
According to Pennsylvania State Education Association spokesman Wythe Keever, more than 80 teachers unions in the state have agreed to wage freezes. Forty more have agreed to other concessions.
"We support our locals in whatever decisions they make," Mr. Keever said.
"They're making a sacrifice," Mr. Manley said. "I hope our state leaders recognize that."
First Published: July 16, 2011, 4:00 a.m.