South Kingstown board, teachers OK 3-year contract

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.projo.com/education/content/SC_SKCONTRACT22_01-22-08_8L8LLP2_v9.29572da.html

01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, January 22, 2008

By Katie Mulvaney

Journal Staff Writer

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — The School Committee and the teachers union have reached a three-year agreement, seven months before their current contract is up.

National Education Association South Kingstown, the union representing 383 teachers, unanimously ratified the deal at a meeting at the high school Thursday afternoon, said Christine Heid, union president.

The School Committee approved the proposal 5-0-1 later that night, said Supt. Robert Hicks. School Committeewoman Natalie Herbermann abstained because her husband is in the bargaining unit.

In November the School Committee initiated “expedited” talks that focused on just the major issues, in an effort to avoid the contentious negotiations now under way in districts throughout the state, said Kevin Jackson, who served on the School Committee’s negotiating team.

“My concern was that we would get into a protracted contract dispute,” Jackson said. “It’s expedited. It’s not rushed.”

Under the deal, for the period Sept. 1, 2008 through Aug. 31, 2011, top-step teachers will receive 3.05 percent raises each year. Salaries for all other steps will rise by 1 percent.

FULL story at link.