Waterford RTM approves raises in teachers’ deal

Waterford — The Representative Town Meeting voted Monday night to approve a threeyear contract that will raise teacher salaries 2.57% in the first year, then 2.95% in both the second and third years. It will go into effect July 1.

Under the current contract, an entry-level teacher with a bachelor’s degree makes $47,390. The salary for the same teacher will increase to $48,608 in the first year of the new contract, then increase to $50,042, and finally to $51,508.

A teacher with five years of experience and a master’s degree currently makes $57,786. Under the new contract, that same position will increase to $59,271 in the first year, $61,019 in the second year and $62,819 in the third year.

Besides the salary increases, the new contract limits how much sick leave teachers can accumulate, provides pay for teachers completing jury service and makes teachers pay higher health insurance premiums.

The contract was agreed on by the town’s school board and the Waterford Federation of Classroom Teachers.

“We were very happy with the agreement. It’s always quite a process, negotiating,” said school board chair Pat Fedor, adding that the contract “shows respect for the teachers and the job that they do,” while keeping taxpayers in mind.

Finance director Kim Allen said she could not estimate exactly how the contract would impact the tax rate in mils, because the raises are just one line in the overall town budget that will not be finalized until this spring.

Superintendent Thomas Giard echoed Fedor in saying that the new contract “provides for the fair compensation of teachers in recognition of the outstanding job they do while at the same time being cognizant of the town’s citizens as it is settlement that is below statewide trend and averages.”

Lori Hauser, president of the teachers’ union, could not be reached Tuesday for comment.