BETHEL — A new three-year contract that provides pay hikes for two of the three years was approved with the Telstar Education Association at Monday night’s meeting of the SAD 44 Board of Directors.
Superintendent David Murphy said the last contract expired Aug. 31, but because of the uncertainty of the state budget, negotiations were put on hold.
The new agreement calls for no salary increase for 2010-11, a 1.75 percent increase for 2011-12, and a 1.75 percent increase for 2012-13. The contract covers nearly 100 teachers, secretaries and educational technicians.
The board also approved the same increases for nine separate contracts for administrators and office support workers.
Murphy said no changes were made to health or other benefits.
The board also approved an extension of an agreement with the Telstar Football Boosters that calls for the group to fund most of the costs for the high school football team. The first five-year agreement was the reason for the reintroduction of football at the high school. Murphy said the volunteer group raised about $70,000 to get the sport off the ground.
The second five-year agreement calls for the Boosters to pay for all equipment, uniforms, field preparation and other needs, except for stipends for two coaching positions, transportation to away games and officials’ fees, which will be paid by the district.
The new agreement covers the period of July 1, 2011, to July 1, 2016.
Murphy said the group continues to raise funds so the sport can continue.
In other business, Murphy said he hopes to have additional information on the possibility of moving the central offices from the former Ethel Bisbee School on Philbrook Street to space at Norway Savings Bank at One Parkway before the board’s next regular meeting Jan. 10.
While the district will begin looking at whether to consider closing two elementary schools as the 2011-12 budget is being developed, he said neither school has ever been considered as a site for the central offices.
Also, longtime Region 9 School of Applied Technology representative from SAD 44, Norman Clanton, was reappointed to the cooperative board. Clanton has served as chairman of the Region 9 board for many years.
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