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DARIEN, Conn. – The town and its teachers have reached an agreement on a contract for the next three years, with the teachers receiving wage increases of 1.25 percent the first year, 2.02 percent the second year and 3.36 percent the third year.
The Representative Town Meeting approved the new contract between the Board of Education and the Darien Education Association on Monday night. Though many expressed unhappiness about the cost, particularly the 3.36 percent wage increase in the third year, many agreed that the deal would be the best Darien could get.
Teacher salaries depend on a number of factors, including how many years they have worked for the district and the level of their degrees. Under the old contract, there were 15 steps, based on a teacher's experience. For example, if a teacher had only a bachelor’s degree and then earned a master’s degree, he or she would move to a higher step.
The new contract added three intermediate steps, which will slow the rate at which a teacher’s salary is raised. Board of Education Chairman Elizabeth Hagerty-Ross said this would save the board $1,000 to $2,000 a year.
Another part of the contract includes changing the teacher’s health care plan, from a preferred provider organization plan to a health savings account. Teachers will deposit money into an account, which will be used to pay for medical expenses. Hagerty-Ross said the board was aggressive in keeping its health care costs in check, and that this plan should cost less while providing the same service to teachers.
Many RTM members and officials pointed out at the meeting that if the contract were not approved by the RTM, it would be handed over to a state-selected arbitration board. Hagerty-Ross and others said this process could end up with a more costly deal for the town.
The contract was passed by the RTM with 71 votes for it, four against and three abstentions.
