Teachers, school district agree on one-year contract

PORTSMOUTH — A one-year teachers' contract was ratified last week, retaining most of the last contract's provisions, so that a three-year contract can be worked out later this year with the findings from the school performance audit.

The results of the performance audit are due around the middle of April, Superintendent Susan Lusi said. "Doing a one-year contract gives us a little time to read and absorb the recommendations of the performance audit," Ms. Lusi said.

Under the new contract, which starts Sept. 1, teachers will receive a step increase under the same formula as last year's figures. Teachers will not receive their typical annual increase on top of that. So second-year teachers will have their salaries increase to $39,497 and the salaries for teachers at step ten will grow to $71,077.

In exchange for eliminating two pending grievances against the school district, teachers settled for two additional personal days for elementary and middle-school teachers, a reduction in professional development requirements, and a doubling of the value of life insurance policies.

The school department estimates that it saved about $500,000 by getting rid of these grievances.

The teachers union and school committee have a "handshake agreement" that both parties will resume negotiations by early November.

Contract at a glance

Cost of contract for 231 teachers

* Salary increase $696,487

* Personal days $19,740

* Life insurance increase $16,708

Savings

* Less teacher training $33,030

Total contract cost $699,905

* '09 teacher salaries cost $13.3 million

* '08 teacher salaries cost $13.06 million

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