Schools

Teacher Contract Amendment to Bring More Than $1M to District

Teachers will pay more of health benefits to fully comply with applicable law.

Written by Dan Gunderman  

The Wayne School District and its teachers have reached a new agreement on the Wayne Education Association’s contract that will require teachers to contribute more to health benefits, among other measures.

The changes to the existing contract, which is in effect through June 30, 2014, were made to bring the pact in full compliance with state law.

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It had become clear to us, after a thorough review and analysis, that portions of the contract needed to be revised in order for the district to continue to move forward," said board of education Attorney Isabel Machado.

"We negotiated in good faith with the association and our talks resulted in the changes we have now made."

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Specifically, the agreement to the current teachers’ contract includes:
  • Teachers and other association members will be required to contribute to health benefits in accordance with Chapter 78, P.L. 2011, resulting in more than $1 million in additional revenue added to the district budget during a two-year period;
  • Five teacher coordinator positions have been recognized by the association;
  • Five lead counselor stipends were established;
  • Twelve lead teacher stipends were established;
  • The salary guide for 2013-14 will provide for a 1.39 percent pay increase.

"This new agreement is in the best interest of our members, the school district, our community and — most importantly — the students of Wayne," said Sean Spiller, president of the Wayne Education Association. 

"Continuity and clarity is crucial in an educational environment, and that's exactly what we've achieved by developing this new contractual agreement."

Chapter 78, P.L. 2011, passed by Gov. Chris Christie in 2011, mandates alterations to retirement systems and state-administered health benefits programs, along with other benefit provisions.

Over a two-year period, concluding with the 2014-15 school year, the new agreement will return over $1 million of additional employee premium contributions to support the district budget.

This comes from association members paying more into their individual healthcare plans. Before this successor agreement, they paid 1.5 percent of their base salary, but this is changing with the introduction of Chapter 78 provisions.

“Finding an amicable resolution to the current contractual situation was a challenge for both the teachers’ representatives and the board,” said schools Superintendent Dr. Raymond Gonzalez. 

“We’re all pleased that these negotiations have been successfully completed, and teachers and all other district employees will be able to focus with clarity on a successful school year that benefits all our students.”

 The district, which serves more than 8,500 students at two high schools, three middle schools and nine elementary schools, plans to reach another agreement with the teachers’ union next summer.  


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here