RUMFORD – SAD 43 directors approved a new three-year contract Monday with the bargaining unit representing bus drivers, custodians and mechanics that gives them a 2.5 percent salary increase for each of the next three years.

Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said the contract covers 28 district employees. The existing contract expires on June 30, 2009. The new one runs from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2012.

Other components of the new contract include greater assurance that overtime will be distributed more equitably and an increase in the amount of retirement benefits to line up with other districts. The increase will be based on numbers of years service to SAD 43.

Other changes include the addition of a night shift leader’s position at Mountain Valley Middle School, provision for association leave time to allow bargaining unit leaders to attend state meetings and modification to the dental insurance plan. The contract was ratified Nov. 23.

Also on Monday, the board approved a policy that provides a formula that ensures that all substitutes receive at least minimum pay. Some substitutes had not received the mandated minimum previously.

Hodgkin said the policy provides a formula rather than a series of rates so that it would change as necessary.

The board did not approve a student program committee because of plans to administratively consolidate SADs 43, 21, 39 and the town of Hanover.

Hodgkin said the committee would have looked at staffing and student issues, but with the new Western Foothills School District scheduled to form next year, the committee is not needed now. The new district may create a similar committee in the future.