Peekskill teachers and the Board of Education have approved a memorandum of agreement on a four-year contract with no salary increases during the first year and incremental increases in teacher contributions toward the cost of health insurance.
The memorandum was approved Tuesday morning, Sept. 4, by the Peekskill Faculty Association and that evening by the school board. It is the foundation of the formal contract that must be ratified at a later date after adoption of an Annual Professional Performance Review plan, as required by New York State.
The agreement, effective July 1 and running through June 30, 2016, “reflects the difficult economic times facing the district, and both the district and the PFA made compromises to reach an agreement that both sides feel is fair and keeps the education of children as the chief priority,” according to a press release issued by the district today (please see attached PDF).
The district is still negotiating new contracts with five other bargaining units. Contracts with all six units expired June 30.
Superintendent of Schools James Willis praised the “good-faith negotiations” that led to “an agreement beneficial to the taxpayers, the district and the teachers.” Board President Joseph Urbanowicz offered “appreciation for the concessions and the commitment to quality education.”
Main provisions of the contract, as summarized in the press release:
- Teachers will receive increases as follows: none in 2012-13, 0.5% in February 2014, 0.5% in February 2015 and 1% in February 2016. Step increases will be frozen in 2013, and effective in February 2014, 2015 and 2016. In 2012-13, the value of Step 15 will be increased $750 and will be made to teachers at Step 15. A $450 one-time payment will be made to teachers on Steps 1-14. Step 15 will be increased by $250 in 2014 and $300 in 2015.
- Teachers will receive longevity increments after eight and 20 years of service.
- Teachers will increase their contribution to the cost of the health insurance plan each year from 9% effective July 2012 to 15% effective July 2016.
- Teaching assistant salaries will be increased by $1,500 in 2012. Thereafter, the same percentage increases as for teachers will apply.
