Franklin Lakes October 19, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Board of education ratifies new teacher contract by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Board of Education has ratified a new three-year contract with the Franklin Lakes Education Association, which represents the teachers, instructional aides, and secretaries in the K-8 school district. The agreement covers the 2011-12 through 2013-14 school years and calls for salary increases of 2 percent the first year, 2.25 percent the second year, and 2.5 percent the third year. According to the school board, the contract agreement was reached after five months of negotiations in which the parties worked collaboratively to reach their respective goals. The previous contract was reached in October 2010, when the school board and FLEA agreed on a two-year contract for the period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011. That contract provided for a 3.5 percent salary increase in both years. The increase was distributed based on the district’s salary guide. According to the school board, distribution of salary increases in the new contract will be very different than in prior contracts. Instead of employees moving through large differentials on the salary guide, all teachers covered by this new contract will receive annual increases of $1,345 in year one, $1,545 in year two, and $1,755 in year three. By giving equal dollars to all teachers, the school board explained, the distribution will provide for higher cumulative percentage increases for the junior staff and a starting salary in year three of $50,885, which will exceed the Bergen County average and will allow the district to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers. The school board pointed out that the cost of health insurance, which the school district considers an ongoing concern, was addressed by recent legislation that calls for employees to contribute to their health insurance premiums on a progressive basis, taking into consideration their salaries and the dependent plans in which they are enrolled. The school board also noted that substantial savings over the term of the last contract were achieved when the board switched its health insurance plan from a private carrier with enriched benefits to the State School Employees Health Benefits Program. The school board advised that the agreement includes many of the goals that were identified as priorities by the board, including a restructuring of the Franklin Avenue Middle School day to enhance the delivery of the educational program and to increase instructional time, participation of teachers in evening activities, and salary increases that reflect a concern for the taxpayers in these challenging economic times. The agreement also includes many of the goals iden- tified by FLEA, including an increase in payment for accumulated sick leave within the state mandated cap, additional compensation for the Children with Autism in Public Schools program aides, and clarification of personal leave days. The school board expressed its appreciation for the professionalism demonstrated by its employees during the negotiations process, stating that the board is confident that the terms of the agreement will permit the district to continue to offer outstanding educational opportunities for its students, while maintaining competitive salaries and benefits for its employees that the taxpayers can afford. The Franklin Lakes Branch of the Valley Hospital Auxiliary will hold its Fourth Annual “Pre-Holiday Brunch and Boutique Shopping Fundraiser Extravaganza” on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the Indian Trail Club, 830 Franklin Lake Road in Franklin Lakes. Boutique shopping will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and brunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. More than 30 vendor booths will be selling costume Brunch and Boutique fundraiser set and handmade jewelry and accessories, unique children’s items, scarves, shawls, belts, handbags, holiday ornaments, beauty items, decorative home goods, baby items, and much more. Tickets are $30. Proceeds will support the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit at The Valley Hospital and Valley Home Care’s Maternal Child Health Program. For details, or to order tickets, call Dorothy at (201) 337-1686.