FARRELL SCHOOLS Contract reflects unsure finances

Teachers will get an average annual increase of $1,475.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
FARRELL, Pa. -- The chief negotiator for the Farrell Area School Board said a one-year teacher contract is a reflection of Farrell's uncertain financial state.
Atty. James Nevant acknowledged that a one-year contract is unusual when it's not uncommon for teacher contracts to run four or five years.
Both sides understand the economics in the district, which has been running increasingly tight budgets in recent years, Nevant said.
The pact is retroactive to July 1, which means the two sides will begin negotiations on the next contract next month, Nevant said, noting state law requires an initial negotiating session before Jan. 10 in the year an old contract expires.
Wage increase
Farrell's 92 teachers will get an average wage increase of $1,475 in the new contract, which was ratified by both sides Monday.
All supplemental coaching and adviser contracts are frozen at current levels, Nevant said, calling it "a major concession" by the teachers.
The contract calls for an increase in pay for unused sick days as part of severance packages for teachers who retire or leave the district.
Teachers were paid $35 per day for a maximum of 200 unused days under the old contract. That will rise to $40 per day, up to 200 days in the new agreement, Nevant said.
The contract will cost the district about $135,000 in increased employee costs. Nevant said the school board has that money set aside in its 2002-03 budget.
The starting salary will be frozen at $32,022 while the maximum teacher salary will be $56,916.
The average teacher salary is $45,078.
Nevant said the school board is still negotiating a contract with its eight nonprofessional employees -- custodians, janitors and maintenance personnel.