Teachers OK salary contract

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BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star

Lincoln Public Schools teachers approved a two-year contract Tuesday and Wednesday by a 72 percent to 28 percent margin.

The contract, which will cost the district $7.9 million in new money for about 2,707 full-time-equivalent positions, passed by a lower margin than the last contract, approved in 2004.

That two-year contract, which gave 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent overall package increases, was passed by 86 percent of teachers. In previous years, more than 90 percent approved pending contracts.

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(LJS File)

(LJS File)

Maxey Elementary School teacher Linda Freye voted for the contract.

“Looking at it as a whole, it was in the best interest of everyone,” she said.

The contract gives all teachers a flat raise of $1,443 the first year, and adds two working days to the contract. Teachers also will receive $3,072 from a former cafeteria insurance plan that now will be folded into their salaries.

In addition, the district will contribute $3,480 to help pay for single health insurance plans and $4,538 to help with family health insurance plans.

Overall, the package will cost the district 5 percent more than last year.

Freye, who teaches kindergarten and has worked for LPS nine years, said she likes the idea that all get the same flat raise.

“None of us went into teaching for the money,” she said.

“I’m glad it passed,” said Arlene Rea, president of the Lincoln Education Association. “Overall, it is a good package.”

There are things the district and union still need to work on, she said. During the next year and a half, a committee will delve into teacher workload and should have recommendations on the issue by  January 2008.

The Lincoln Board of Education is expected to vote on the contract at its next meeting.

Reach JoAnne Young at 473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com.