INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County School Board Tuesday evening unanimously approved the 2012-13 contract with the Indian River County Education Association – the teachers’ union.
The contract went to impasse between the union and the School District and was sent to a special magistrate who sent it to the School Board for a hearing. The School Board took up the issue at the end of January.
The union voted last Thursday to ratify the contract based on the School Board’s ruling and notified the School District on Friday. Tuesday was the first opportunity for the School Board to approve the contract.
“It is important (the contract) is approved as soon as possible,” Schools Superintendent Dr. Fran Adams said.
School Board members did not discuss the contract prior to voting.
Dr. Adams told the School Board that the 2012-13 contract includes two phases for teachers’ salary increases, which should be complete by the end of this month.
After the vote, School Board Chair Carol Johnson thanked the teachers for voting in favor of the contract and added that she felt it was unfortunate that it took so long for the District and union to agree on a document.
With the approved 2012-13 contract, the School District and union can begin negotiating the 2013-14 contract, which includes a little more than $3 million in extra state funds for teachers’ raises.