BERRIEN SPRINGS – Berrien Regional Education Service Agency Board (Berrien RESA) Wednesday ratified two collective bargaining agreements – one with the Berrien County Intermediate Education Association and one with the Berrien County Paraprofessional Personnel Association. These agreements cover the next three years.
The agreements call for no increase for the 2009-2010 and 2010-11 school years with a two-percent increase scheduled for the 2011-2012 school year.

Employee contributions to the organization’s self-funded insurance system remain unchanged.

“I commend our employees for their willingness to balance contract expectations with our state’s current economic climate,” said Assistant Superintendent Jim Palm, chief negotiator for the Berrien RESA Board of Education.

“This flexibility and the unions’ willingness to plan long term – establishing three year agreements –  allows our organization to focus on our primary responsibility – educating Berrien County’s children.”

The two collective bargaining agreements cover approximately 200 of Berrien RESA’s 300 employees.