Norwin school board, teachers OK new contract

Norwin school teachers have a new five-year contract that gives them an average pay raise of 2.94 percent and increases the amount they contribute for health insurance.

The school board approved the contract and the teachers ratified it in separate meetings Monday.

The last teachers contract ended Aug. 31. The new one began retroactively on Sept. 1 and continues until Aug. 31, 2021.

Eight of nine school directors voted in favor of the contract. Al Lynn, who had voted by phone earlier in the meeting, couldn’t be reached to take part in the vote on the contract.

The average annual payroll increase is 2.94 percent, or $2,064, during the life of the contract, according to a district news release.

The starting salary for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree will go from $49,200 in the last year of the old contract to $49,400 in the first year of the new pact, rising to $50,200 in the last year of the new contract.

The salary for a teacher with a master’s degree at the top of the scale will increase from $84,483 during the last year of the old contract to $86,483 in the first year of the new pact, rising to $94,483 in the final year of the new contract.

The teachers agreed to an annual health care insurance premium contribution of $2,364 for family coverage and $1,956 for individual coverage in the first year of the contract. According to the news release, premium contributions will rise $300 per year for family coverage and $180 per year for individual coverage over the life of the contract.

Superintendent William Kerr said in the news release that both sides understood challenges for school districts and focused on long-term academic and financial success.

Paula Giran, president of the Norwin Education Association, the teachers union, said in the release: “The collaborative efforts between the association and the district put students first. This agreement is a result of leaders working together to ensure a fair settlement for the employees, the district and the taxpayers.”

Also on Monday, the board changed its policy on the use of school facilities to close the campuses and facilities to the public between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except for the walking track and tennis courts.

The walking track will be open from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. for district residents. No hours were set for the tennis courts, but they should be used only during daylight because, unlike the track, the courts do not have lights, officials said. The walking track and football field will be closed to residents during practices, competitions, district events or when rented by outside groups.

A clause was added to the policy forbidding visitors from interacting with students participating in school activities.