Teacher contract ratified in Posen

The Posen Consolidated School District Board of Education ratified a three-year contract with the 18 members of the Posen Education Association at Monday?s meeting. The contract includes a salary freeze for the 2004-05 school year; a 2.75 percent salary increase for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 school years; language to allow a 170-day student calendar; and changes on the deductible and prescription co-pay in insurance. The contract is effective September 1, 2004 and will expire August 31, 2007.

The board commended the teachers for their efforts in recognizing the financial hardship of the district. The adjustments to the school calendar will include the same number of hours required by the state of Michigan for teaching hours but will save additional operation costs. The 2004-05 school year begins August 23 for teachers, while students report the next day. The last day of school has not been scheduled, according to superintendent Dennis Stratton, but he said it will be sometime in early June.