NEWS
Board of Education approves Cohoes teacher contract
At their meeting on June 16, the Cohoes City School District Board of Education voted to ratify a three-year contract with the Cohoes Teachers Association. The contract will cover the period of July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2013. Members of the CTA voted to ratify the negotiated agreement on Wednesday, June 16, 2010.
The new contract includes changes in the areas of salaries, stipends, ensuring teacher-parent communications and increasing professional development. The contract also includes a retirement incentive for the second year. There are approximately 200 members of CTA.
"Given the economic condition in the country and the state, we feel it is a fair agreement for both the Cohoes Teacher's Association and the district," said CTA President John Wilhelm.
Salaries will change each July 1 according to the published Consumer Price Index (CPI), a minimum of 0 percent, and a maximum of 4 percent, depending on the CPI in each given year. The CPI is published annually in December by the federal government. CPI was minus 0.4 percent in December 2009, which means the salary increase in year one of the new contract will be zero, exclusive of step increments, which would have been guaranteed by the state law.
"Teachers recognize the difficulties presented by the current economy," said Superintendent of Schools Robert K. Libby. "They agreed to a zero percent salary increase in year one – and little or no increase in year two and three unless or until the economy rebounds."
Though individual responsibilities vary, teachers' job responsibilities typically include in-class instruction, class preparation activities, grading of classroom and state tests, some after-school assistance for students and professional development activities.
The new contract includes a second period of monthly staff development. Teachers will collaborate with principals and the assistant superintendent of educational services on topics. These professional learning opportunities may be held during the school day or after, depending on the level and availability of substitute teachers.
Teachers will also be required under a provision in the new contract to update/maintain their electronic gradebooks weekly and ensure that where applicable, major assignments, projects and assessments, along with their due dates, will be posted in an appropriate time frame on a vehicle provided by the school district for electronic communication with students, parents and guardians.
Another provision puts a cap on the salary formula for summer school teachers.
No major changes were made to the health insurance plans, in part because the district has saved more than $322,000 over the past two years as a result of changes that all collective bargaining units agreed to 2008. The district will continue to give teachers the opportunity to receive a one-time payment for opting out of district health insurance coverage, which will save the district money. Net copay amounts for office visits will increase in the new contract.
"I'd like to thank the members of CTA and the Board of Education for the spirit of cooperation that went into preparing this contract," said Libby. "I expect this document will help us further our goal of 'Learning by all.'"
