The Harvard School Committee and the Harvard Teachers Association (HTA) are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached on the terms of our contract for the school year 2010/11. Both sides concurred that given the volatility of the current economy, a one-year settlement was in the best interest of all concerned.
The new agreement provides for the normal step and column increases. The contract also provides for a 1% increase across the salary schedule in exchange for an extended workday. The length of the workday is increased at both schools to provide for additional collaboration time for the teachers. The nurses are placed on the teachers’ salary schedule with caps placed on the highest steps and columns for nurses. Other language changes include a revised professional development funding model designed to support the professional growth of all teachers.
The School Committee and the HTA engaged in a professional and thoughtful dialogue throughout the process, which was essential to come to an agreement during these challenging financial times. All parties remained focused on mutual interests, spoke candidly and sought to understand each other’s positions. As a result, the agreement was reached within the timeframe necessary to implement the health insurances changes that were negotiated.
We wish to express our appreciation to Town Administrator Tim Bragan and Finance Director Lorraine Leonard for all of their hard work and assistance in negotiating the health benefits agreement which will be instrumental in reducing the impact of increased health care costs for the town, both in the short and long term. In addition, we would like to thank Superintendent of Schools Thomas Jefferson for all of his efforts leading to the successful and timely settlement of this contract.
The negotiation was a team effort which resulted in a fiscally responsible agreement that works to maintain the standards of excellence for which we have always strived.
Respectfully submitted by:
School Committee Negotiating Team: Stu Sklar, Piali De, Virginia Justicz, Ron Ricci, and Pat Wenger
HTA Negotiating Team: Kathleen Doherty, Davida Bagatelle, Marybeth Campbell, Kellie Carlucci, Cindy Hurley, Lauren Hurley, Colleen Nigzus, Arlene Sullivan, and Glenn Tarullo