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The net cost of the agreement is an increase of 2.66 percent per year, which is below the statewide average of 3.5 percent. The contract retains 22 steps for teachers to reach maximum salary levels. The new contract also increases professional development from three to four full days per year.
The addition of high-quality professional development for teachers has been identified as a critical need for continued improvement of the school district.
“This is a great outcome for Norwalk,” said Mike Barbis, chair of the Negotiations and Personnel Committee for the Norwalk Board of Education. “It treats teachers fairly while also being fiscally responsible on behalf of the city’s taxpayers.”
Development of the contract for the NFT was originally led by Bruce LeVine Mellion, the longtime NFT president who died in September. It was finalized by new NFT President Mary Yordon and the NFT contract negotiation team that included Chairperson Sue Delong, Sam Alesevich, John Altieri, Joseph Giandurco, Larry Hillman, Carol Seirup, Janet Sell, Howie Ziperstein and Tina Saunders.
“We owe a great deal to the time and energy that Bruce put into this contract,” said Yordon. “Norwalk’s commitment to teachers is evident in this agreement. We were treated with respect at the negotiation table and we are proud of the end result.”
“This agreement is a testament to the close working relationship we had established with the union and Bruce LeVine Mellion over the past several years,” added Mike Lyons, chairman, Norwalk Board of Education. “
Separate memorandums of agreement have also been signed by both parties that allow for ongoing work on key topics. One agreement covers continued discussions about the designation of teachers as special education case managers, in support of ongoing special education reforms, while another addresses the need for extended instructional time to support the district’s strategies for closing the achievement gap.
For copies of the contract and side agreements, visit www.norwalkps.org.
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