Board of Ed, Teachers' Union Ratify Two-Year Contract

The Farmington Board of Education and the teachers’ union, the Farmington Education Association, ratified a new contract Monday night. The contract, which spans two years, will go before the Town Council for final approval on Oct. 11.

The mediated settlement moved from the traditional three-year contract because of the “difficult and uncertain economic times,” according to a press release from the Board of Education.

The Board of Education had previously been criticized after entering into a three-year contract before the economic downturn which gave teachers increases at a time when town departments were tightening budgets.

In the first year, 2012-2013, the agreement includes a 0 percent increase on both wage and step. Step increases are periodic, scheduled increases in pay that take teachers from starting salary to the maximum for the position.

According to the release, “This represents a “hard freeze” that mirrors the concessions taken by all other Farmington Board of Education and Town employees in 2009-2010.”

The teachers’ union declined to make concessions during the last contract.

In the second year, 2013-2014, teachers will receive a 2.25 percent wage increase, with no step movement. According to the Board of Education, the step freeze results in a wage savings of $498,554 for that year.

The FEA also agreed to $213,649 in insurance concessions in the second year of the contract, reportedly offsetting the wage increase to a net increase of 1.48 percent.

Board of Education Chairman Mary Grace Reed commended all parties involved in the negotiations saying, “This contract not only represents a collective understanding of our challenging economy, it also represents a collective commitment to excellence in education here in Farmington.”

Christina Lepi, President of the FEA said, "The members of the Farmington Education Association feel that in these difficult economic times we all have to look at the reality of the situation which may require sacrifices. In this light, the negotiated contract seems appropriate and the teachers have approved the new contract. "

Ron Janeczko, Chairman of the Farmington Board of Education’s Negotiations Committee, states, “The 2012-2014 negotiated contract between the Farmington Board of Education and the FEA represents significant savings for the school district in salaries and insurance benefits over the next two fiscal years. The savings will help to sustain and enhance programs and services to students in these difficult economic times. We appreciate all of the teachers' contributions to the education of our students and the success of our school district.”