Springfield School Board Approves New Teachers Contract
Posted on: Thursday, 15 December 2005, 00:00 CST
By Dan Bustard, Eagle Times, Claremont, N.H.
Dec. 15--SPRINGFIELD -- A new teachers contract with a 2.5 percent raise for this year and 4 percent raises for each of the next two years received the blessing of the Springfield School Board Tuesday night.
The contract, retroactive to the start of this school year, had been negotiated for nearly a year and went through factfinding and mediation processes.
"It wasn't easy, but it's fair," said Springfield Teachers Association President Joy Benson, who reported teachers unanimously approved the new contract on Monday.
Benson expressed the union's appreciation for the cooperation the school board showed in reaching an agreement that she said took into account teachers and taxpayer concerns.
"It's a good start to the new year for all of us," she said.
The board voted unanimously to approve the contract, with George McNaughton and Laura Ryan abstaining because they have family members working for the school district.
The last contract expired June 30. Director of Fiscal Services Steve Hier said the 2.5 percent raise will be a step increase for all teachers, including those at the end of the step schedule based on their longevity.
Hier said other changes in the contract were relatively minor, including allowing the schedule at Springfield High School to include classes beyond the normal school day.
The contract does not change teacher contributions toward health insurance, which will remain at 16.5 percent or 20 percent depending on the health plan chosen.
The board also bumped up administrators' pay to meet the teachers' increase for this school year. Administrators had been given a 2 percent raise prior to the contract being negotiated.
The board included $500,000 in next year's proposed budget to cover both teachers and support staff contracts.
-----
Copyright (c) 2005, Eagle Times, Claremont, N.H.
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.
For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.
Source: Eagle Times, Claremont, New Hampshire
Related Articles
- Memphis School Teacher Wins Cellular South 'Hoops Mania' Contest
- The Seattle Seahawks and Symetra Financial Team Up to Honor Seattle Public School Teachers
- Innovative Los Angeles Teacher Named "Charter School Teacher of the Year"
- Project to Prepare Teachers for Flight: Three Columbus Teachers to Board the 'Vomit Comet'
- Henrico Schools Seek 9 Percent More / Proposed Budget Would Raise Salaries for Staff and Teachers and Add Several New Positions
- Partners in Education: Scholarships Offered to Public School Teachers
- Militants Make Targets of South Afghan Leaders Beheaded School Teacher is Latest Victim
- Afghan School Teacher Beheaded
- Inquiring Safely: A Guide for Middle School Teachers
- Writing Conference for High School Teachers and Students
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds