CEA CONTRACT Highlights

Teachers represented by the Columbiana Education Association started the school year last Tuesday with a new three-year contract. They will receive a salary increase of 5 percent this year and 3 percent in the second and third years of the contract. Some other details:
Work days: 184 work days, three personal days off with pay.
Insurance: New coverage begins Jan. 1, 2002, and includes major medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage. Teachers pay 5 percent of the monthly premium. Under the previous contract they did not contribute to the monthly premium.
Pension: Teachers pay 9.3 percent of their gross income into the pension plan. The district pays 14 percent as required by law. The board could opt to pay a portion of the teachers' contribution, but it has chosen not to do so.
Life insurance: Increased to $30,000 from $15,000 previously.
Sick days: Teachers receive 15 sick days, which can accumulate to a maximum of 260 days.