Who determines staff raises?

Question: I have to say it was shocking to see that our district could save $800,000 if the teachers would agree to a pay freeze! In these tough economic times, when most of the private sector has had to forego raises or even agree to pay cuts, I think it is a legitimate request for the taxpayers to ask the teachers to do their part. That amount of money could fund athletics for several years! Who determines if and when the staff receives raises and how much they receive? Is this something that the district has control over or is it controlled by the state and the unions?

Answer: We must abide by all existing collective bargaining agreements.

Please note that Plain Talk previously said, "If the entire B-P Central School District staff (administrative, support and teaching) all agreed to NO pay increase in the coming 2011-12 school year, the cost savings would be $860,516."
-answered by Stephen Tomlinson, District Superintendent