Weston School Board Ratifies Tentative Salary Agreement

Following months of complex negotiations, the Weston Board of Education and the Weston Teachers’ Association have ratified a tentative agreement for a new contract to take effect on July 1, 2012. The final agreement was reached hours before binding arbitration was scheduled to commence. The board was represented by Attorney Thomas B. Mooney of Shipman & Goodwin LLP.

In addition to contractual changes that will enable the district to meet the instructional needs of 21st century learning, the parties worked together to negotiate a new three-year contract with the following significant provisions:

Salaries

Year 1 (2012-2013)

Teachers on step (0% GWI): 0 percent
Teachers at top of step scale (1.5% GWI): 0.57 percent
Teachers on step – step movement mid-way through year: 1.17 percent

Total Increase*: 1.74 percent

Year 2 (2013-2014)

Teachers on step (1.0% GWI): 0.58 percent
Teachers at top of step scale (1.25% GWI): 0.51 percent
Teachers on step – impact of delayed step in 2012-2013: 1.25 percent

Total Increase*: 2.34 percent

Year 3 (2014-2015)

Teachers on step (0% GWI): 0 percent
Teachers at top of step scale (1.25% GWI): 0.63 percent
Teachers on step – step movement at beginning of year: 2.13 percent

Total Increase*: 2.76 percent

*Total increase reflects actual percentage increase to the teachers’ salary account for current teaching staff, which over the three years of the contract is just shy of 6.85%. The three year impact for GWI is 2.29% and Step is 4.55%.

Insurance

The parties agreed to require all members of the bargaining group to enroll in the Health Savings Account (“HSA”) plan. Teachers who are not eligible to participate in the HSA will be offered a Health Reimbursement Account at the same cost to the Board as the HSA. Those teachers who are willing to pay the full difference in cost, will be permitted to participate in the existing PPO. In addition, a committee will be created to expand participation in the wellness program.

Currently, participation in the HSA is voluntary and approximately 60 percent of the teaching staff is enrolled. The voluntary program has resulted in substantial savings to the district, and the new program will result in projected additional savings which will significantly offset the salary increases.

Teacher Stipends

Teacher stipends will be increased as follows:

2012-2013: 1.5 percent
2013-2014: 1.25 percent
2014-2015: 1.25 percent

Dick Bochinski, Chairman of the Board Negotiating Committee, stated: “While negotiations in these fiscally difficult times are challenging, the Board would like to thank the WTA for its willingness to work together to reach a fair agreement for the teachers and the Weston community.”