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Board approves tentative agreement with Waterford Education Association; teachers to receive steps and stipends
Summary
The Waterford School Board approved a tentative agreement with the Waterford Education Association ratified by its membership that includes step increases, an off‑schedule payment for top‑step teachers, special-education stipends, updates to Schedule B and changes to the teacher evaluation process; vote recorded with one abstention.
The Waterford School Board voted to approve a tentative agreement with the Waterford Education Association (WEA) that the union membership ratified following a second vote.
Lisa Fowle, presenting the agreement as Superintendent's recommendation 45-24-25, said that the negotiated package includes step increases for eligible teachers effective last August and a one-time off-schedule payment of $1,200 for teachers already at top step. She said the contract also includes newly negotiated special-education stipends and updates to Schedule B (additional assignments such as athletics and extra curriculum compensation). The agreement also incorporated a negotiated teacher-evaluation component that had previously been a prohibited subject, she said.
"We worked very hard together to put forth the special education stipends," Fowle said, noting the district and union collaborated on schedule B and evaluation language. She told the board the membership ratified the agreement and that payments will begin in March.
Board members asked for details about how the evaluation changes will be implemented. Fowle said the district will continue using the Charlotte Danielson framework and Frontline as its management tool; she said the new evaluation changes include a state-mandated mid-year progress report and a move from a four-level to a three-level rating scale per recent legislation.
Member Donahue moved the superintendent's recommendation. One board member said they would abstain because a spouse is a union member. The board recorded the vote as six in favor, zero opposed, with one abstention.
Ending
Administrators said they will begin implementing the financial terms of the agreement in March and will continue to work with teachers and administrators on evaluation procedures during the coming school year.
