The Valley View School District 365U school board unanimously approved a new teachers contract Tuesday, nearly 10 months after the last teachers contract expired.
"After almost a year of negotiations, approving the new teachers contracts is a huge step forward," School Board President Steven Quigley said at Tuesday's school board meeting. "Both sides negotiated in their best interests and I am pleased that the deal was ratified."
The teachers union voted May 16 to approve the contract 55 percent to 45 percent, according to former Valley View school board member Jim Curran. The vote total was 846-693, according to Gougis.
The contract includes a 2 percent salary increase and higher insurance premiums. Teachers have seen a 5 percent increase in salaries each year for the past five years.
Under the new contract, teachers will receive a $1,200 stipend. But all teachers will now have to pay annual insurance premiums: $360 for single coverage and $600 for families. Previously, teachers who had spent more than five years in the district did not have to pay premiums. The contract is a three-year contract retroactive to last July 1 and expiring at the end of 2014-15.
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