Teachers union ratifies contract

NEW MIDDLETOWN -- The union representing Springfield School District's 75 teachers has ratified a contract that will carry the district through August 2007.
Springfield Local Classroom Teachers Association adopted the three-year agreement Wednesday. The contract takes effect in September and calls for salary increases of 2 percent the first and third years and 3 percent the second year.
The school board plans to vote on the contract during a special meeting at 5 p.m. today. The current contract expires in August.
The new agreement also stipulates the school district must employ at least 72 teachers at all times. Positions are to be eliminated only as the result of retirement or death.
Pam Williams, union president, said other specific terms of the contract will be released after the school board vote.
"We're very fortunate to have come to an agreement for our next contract so soon," Williams said. Williams declined to disclose the number of teachers who voted in favor of the contract, but said the vote "was more than sufficient enough to ratify the contract."