The Pennsbury School District and its teachers’ union have agreed to a new five-year contract.
The agreement between the school district and the Pennsbury Education Association (PEA) that represents about 870 teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, speech therapists, social workers, behavior analysts, and librarians was ratified by the PEA membership earlier this month and by the school board Thursday evening.
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The new contract will run retroactively from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2026.
The district said the new contract will shift union members’ benefits from the district to the regional Delaware Valley Health Trust (DVHT), with projected cost containment in the short- and long-term. The deal also means there will be an increase in staff contributions toward health benefits from 14 percent to 15 percent in the second year and an additional 1 percent increase in year three and throughout the rest of the contract, according to a district statement.
PEA members will see a salary bump of $1,800 per year and a .5% increase in supplemental activity stipends.
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The new contract will limit class sizes to an average of 28 students, implement a new middle school schedule to increase students’ instructional time, and expand the time students at the high school can received academic support.
“We are extremely pleased to have reached this agreement,” said School Board President Christine Toy-Dragoni. “The board feels this contract strikes a balance between meeting the needs of PEA members while maintaining fiscal integrity for the district and taxpayers.”
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“The Pennsbury Education Association is pleased to announce a contract that acknowledges the hard work of our members and their commitment to enhancing the educational experience of all students while being mindful of all constituents,” Lynn Vitali, president of the PEA and Pamela Martino, PEA member and negotiations chairperson, said in a statement. “We are hopeful that the next five years under this agreement will provide an environment where students and staff will feel supported and valued.”
The district said they began negotiations with the PEA in January.
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