Settled Contract Terms Head to Teachers, Full Board

The agreement reached by negotiators for the and the school's education association setting contract terms for the 2011-14 school years is pending approval by the WHREA membership and a vote by the school board.

The settlement follows more than a year of intensive——negotiations, which began before the expiration of the last contract on June 30, 2011. The talks were complicated by 2011's , and led to, limiting after-school access for students.

"We hope to have a ratification vote soon, although there are some procedural matters before that can happen," WHREA President Sean DiGiovanna said.

Among the procedural matters is the creation of a salary guide, which sets starting salaries for new teachers, as well as the incremental steps the school's staff will receive for experience and level of education.  The salary guide determines how the increase in salaries the board agreed to pay are divided up.

After the establishment of the salary guide, the WHREA members will vote on the settlement. 

"At that time, we will release the details of the settlement," DiGiovanna said. 

The board of education is likely to vote on the settlement at the meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the school. 

The board and the WHREA announced the settlement at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, issuing a statement noting the two sides had reached "Memorandum of Agreement." 

The Watchung Hills Regional Education Association represents the school's teachers, secretaries, aides, technicians, custodians, maintenance personnel and bus drivers.