Waterford Education Association ratifies new salary and evaluation agreement

The Waterford Board of Education meeting on February 20, 2025, highlighted significant developments in teacher contracts and compensation. The board discussed the successful ratification of a new agreement with the Waterford Education Association (WEA), which received overwhelming support from its members.

Key components of the ratified agreement include automatic salary steps for eligible teachers, which were implemented last August. Additionally, teachers at the top salary step received a one-time payment of $1,200 for the year. The agreement also introduced special education stipends, addressing the critical shortage of special education educators in the district.

The board updated "Schedule B," which pertains to additional roles such as athletics and curriculum work, ensuring that full-time equivalents (FTE) were accurately reflected. This update was the result of collaboration between district administrators and union representatives.

Another important aspect of the agreement was the inclusion of a new teacher evaluation process, which had previously been a prohibited subject for negotiation. This evaluation system has been integrated into the current evaluation process and has been actively implemented throughout the year.

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude towards the WEA and the collaborative efforts that led to the successful passage of the agreement. The board emphasized the importance of these developments for the district's educators and the overall educational environment.