Weathersfield teachers upset with contract talks

MINERAL RIDGE — Weathersfield Local Schools teachers took up informational pickets of the schools to let the community know they believe they are being treated unfairly in contract negotiations.

“We are fighting for our rights,” Tammie McCall, president of the Mineral Ridge Education Association said. The MREA represents 65 teachers.

Schools Superintendent Damon Dohar, however, said the district is still operating in the red, even though it has a $1.7 million carry-over balance.

“To me, it’s the long-term effect,” Dohar said. He said he continues to be worried about state funding and potential new cuts to the district.

Teachers are working under terms of a three-year contract, which went into effect on July 16, 2010, to July 15, 2012.

A starting teacher was at $27,748 annually in 2010 and realized a $624 increase to $28,372 in 2011 and a $426 increase to $28,798 in 2012.

A teacher at the top of the scale went from $62,466 in 2011 to $66,249, (a $3,783 increase) and $67,243 in 2012 (a $994 increase).

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com