The Carmel Clay School Board of Trustees and the Carmel Clay Education Association reached a contract agreement on Aug. 12.

According to Superintendent Jeff Swensson via e-mail, a genuine effort was present on both sides to reach a responsive decision.

“The major outcome from the settlement between our school district and our teachers association is that we have come to a mutual agreement about important issues related to both salary and benefits over four years,” Swensson said.

CCEA President Sherri Pankratz said that everyone was ready to change how they approached the problem.

The issue has been over salary since the teachers have not received a new contract since July of 2008. Up to this agreement, teachers have been given a salary at the 2007-2008 school year level. There will be a 0.5 percent raise in the 2008-2009 school year, a one percent raise in the 2009-2010 school year, a 2.5 percent raise in the 2010-2011 school year, and a one percent raise in the 2011-2012 school year.

According to Pankratz, another factor towards the agreement was the increased cost of health care since last year. The agreement also includes two new health insurance plans for a total of four tiers of insurance that depend on the size of the family.

For students, teachers can be more occupied with planning lessons and class time. According to Swensson, the agreement will provide better learning experiences for students across the district.

Swensson said, “The benefit to one and all is that our school district’s mission is the sole focus of one and all.” By Steven Chen <[email protected]>