Scarsdale Teachers, District Reach Agreement on Four-Year Contract

Scarsdale, NY — The Scarsdale Public Schools and the Scarsdale Teachers Association have come to an agreement on a four-year contract, which was approved by the board of education Monday.

The contract will be in effect from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2020, according to information provided by a district spokeswoman.

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“This new contract represents an extremely collaborative and thoughtful effort, one of the major goals we set out to achieve at the beginning of the process” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Hagerman in a statement announcing the agreement. “The approved changes are responsive to the needs of our students, teachers, and District, and will allow us to continue focusing on our shared work of educational excellence.”

The average annual salary increase under the new contract is 1.38 percent. Health insurance contributions for current employees will be increased over the life of the contract.

Instructional time, beginning with the 2017-18 school year, will also be increased.

Scarsdale Teachers Association President David Wixted said the new agreement was made possible by the constructive dialog between the faculty and district officials.

“Though the conversations that led to this settlement were at times contentious, they were nonetheless conducted in a manner where both sides demonstrated their mutual respect for each other. In the end, we reached a settlement that addressed the needs the two sides brought to the table, and which will ensure the stability of the District so we can all continue to focus on the education and advancement of Scarsdale’s students,” he said.

Highlights of the new agreement include:

Salary

● The contract provides a four-year average annual salary increase of 1.38%. Year one has a 1.5% increase; year two contains a 1.5% increase; year three contains a 1.3% increase; and year four contains a 1.2% percent increase.

Health Insurance

● Health insurance contributions for current employees are increased over the life of the contract to 7.5% in 2017-18; 8% in 2018-19; and 8.5% in 2019-20.

● Contributions for all retirees eligible for District paid health care insurance will also begin for those retiring after July 1, 2018, with 3% contribution for service of 30 years or more, 5% for service of 20 years or more, and full employee contribution for service between 12-19 years.

● A number of provisions in the Health Care Plan were also significantly adjusted to create substantial, long-term savings, including increases in minimum prescription drug co-pays and out of network deductibles.

APPR (Annual Professional Performance Review)

● New language was agreed on that conforms to the law and is included in the contract.

Instructional Time

● Effective with the 2017-18 school year, teachers will provide students with additional classroom instructional time as follows: Elementary schools, 80 minutes per week; Middle School, 80 minutes per week; and High School, 75 minutes per week.