Regional High Schools Teachers Contracts Settled

After 18 months of negotiations and a year of working under an expired contract, the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education and Education Association have reached an agreement. 

The three-year contract covers this past school year through the 2012-13 school year and calls for salary increases of 2 percent the first year, with 2.5 percent increases for both the second and third years. The increase is based on the sum total of salaries and will be worked into the updated salary guide. 

The salary increase will be offset by a savings in health insurance costs, according to district officials. Effective July 1, the district is eliminating the "more costly traditional (indemnity) plan."  Instead, eligible employees will have their choice between two "more cost-effective managed health care plans that will mirror the benefits offered under the School Employees Health Benefit Program," according to district statement. 

"The restructuring of the health care benefits coverage will yield a projected savings of over $350,000 to the Board in the second year of the contract, resulting in a net budget increase for salaries of less than one-half of 1 percent," district officials stated.

Stipends for coaches and club advisors were frozen for the term of the contract, which was passed unanimously by the school board. Both members of the board and the RIHEA said they were pleased to have the contract settled.

The RIHEA represents approximately 300 teachers, supplemental teachers, administrative assistants, tech assistants, instructional aides, security, custodians, maintenance and grounds.