By kathy baratta
Staff Writer
HOWELL — A new three-year contract has been approved by the Howell Township Education Association (HTEA), according to Valerie Rosenberg, chairwoman of the Board of Education’s Labor Committee.
Rosenberg said the membership of the HTEA voted to approve the new contract on Oct. 21.
Prior to the actual vote, the HTEA had forwarded to the board a memorandum of understanding dated Oct. 16 that was favorable toward the terms of the contract.
At that time, Rosenberg said there had been no sticking points involved in the negotiations and that all-in-all, the process had not been contentious.
According to the terms of the approved agreement, teachers will receive a 3.25 percent salary increase in the first year of the contract (2002-03; a 4 percent salary increase in the second year (2003-04); and a 4.4 percent salary increase in the third year (2004-05).
The salary increases for the first year of the deal are retroactive to July.
Rosenberg has said the members of the HTEA recognized "these are tough times everywhere, not just in Howell," and voted to accept paying a higher deductible for their medical prescriptions.
Rosenberg said the new contract contains changes to the prescription plan in that a sliding scale of increased co-pays will be effected. She said the dollar amounts will vary according to the drug prescribed.
Rosenberg also confirmed that as part of the new contract terms, the K-8 school district will be instituting a long-term insurance care program that will be available to all employees covered by contract or an employee benefits program.
She said the insurance will be available without an employee co-pay.
The HTEA has approximately 930 members and is comprised of all district employees except for central office personnel.