Williamsville approves teacher contract

At a special meeting Thursday, the Williamsville Board of Education voted 8-1 to approve the funding for a five-year collective bargaining agreement with teachers.

The district and the Williamsville Teachers Association, which represents about 875 members, agreed to the new contract, which extends the terms and conditions of employment through Aug. 30, 2011. The teachers association approved the contract earlier this week.

The new agreement includes an annual salary increase that averages 3.99 percent over the life of the contract. The pact also impacts the district's contribution to the teachers' health insurance trust, offering an incentive for members to move to a single provider as well as an experience rated plan, both of which reduces district costs.

"This contract shows collaboration and continued promise for the future," Superintendent Howard S. Smith said. "I applaud the leaders and members of the WTA for their willingness to partner

with the district and continue our efforts to provide high quality education for all students in a cost-effective manner."

Under the new contract, the starting salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and no graduate hours is $38,000, up from $37,910. The new teacher contract also provides an incentive for Williamsville teachers to attain National Board Certification, salary adjustments for advisors and athletic coaches, and an adjustment to the work year for kindergarten through fourth-grade teachers.

The current contract expired Aug. 31, 2006.