Sag Harbor School District Ratifies New Teachers Contract

The Sag Harbor School District Board of Education unanimously ratified a new contract on Monday night between the district and the Teachers Association of Sag Harbor, or TASH, an act that came before the existing contract had even expired.The new contract became effective on July 1 and will expire on June 30, 2017. According to the district, this is the second time in history that Sag Harbor reached a new agreement prior to the expiration of the existing contract.The new agreement calls for a 0.7-percent salary increase for the 2014-15 school year, effective immediately, and a 0.75-percent increase for both 2015-16 and 2016-17, effective July 1 of those school years. During the period of the contract, TASH members are to contribute 17.5 percent of the premium costs for employee health and dental insurance. They will contribute 20 percent when the contract expires.In addition, the contract also continues to provide annual longevity increases based on teachers’ tenure and experience, known as “steps,” that average approximately 3 percent annually, but will average 2.25 percent this year. There is no change in rate of step increases in the new contract; a number of employees have reached the top level of steps.The previous six-year contract, which was effective from July 1, 2008, until June 30, 2014, included a 2.5-percent salary increase in 2008-09 and 2009-10; a 2.6-percent increase in 2010-11; a 2.65-percent increase in 2011-12; a 2.7-percent increase in 2012-13; and a 2.6-percent increase in 2013-14. Contributions to premium costs were still 17.5 percent, as the new contract calls for now.Superintendent of Schools Katy Graves, who started her position with the district last week, said she was glad the contract had been ratified early. “It was such a positive way to begin the school year,” she said.School Board President Theresa Samot said she was thankful for a productive negotiation process.