School union, board OK pact in Sylvania

3/25/2003

The Sylvania Education Association and the Board of Education yesterday approved a new contract calling for a total pay increase of more than 6 percent over two years.

The contract will take effect Sept. 1 and run through Aug. 31, 2005.

Health insurance provisions remained substantially unchanged, except for a slight increase in co-payments by members, said Perry Lefevre, president of the teachers' union.

In some instances members will have to pay $15 instead of $10 for a visit to their doctor and in other instances the increase will go from $15 to $20.

Mr. Lefevre said an overwhelming majority of the 560 members of the bargaining unit voted to ratify the contract. The SEA covers teachers and other professionals in the Sylvania district.

George Gernot III, president of the board, said the contract is a fair deal for the teachers and for the community. He thanked the teachers' union and the board's bargaining committee for reaching a quick agreement, although contract negotiations were made more difficult with state funding cuts and other uncertainties.

Arlene Wilson, treasurer and chief financial officer for the district, said the contract calls for an increase of 3.25 percent in the first year and 3 percent in the final year.

At the lowest end of the pay scale, a beginning teacher with a bachelor's degree will begin at $31,055 next school year. At the high end, a school psychologist with 27 or more years of experience will be paid $69,718.