The CSD School Committee approved the contract drafted between the Boothbay Region Educators Association and the school district at its meeting on May 13. The agreement was signed May 21. The contract will apply retroactively for this year, and will continue until the end of the 2016-2017 school year.

This contract ends a conflict between the teachers’ union and school committee that had been going on for the entirety of this school year.

The major change in the contracts revolves around teacher salary.

Salaries at both Boothbay region elementary and high schools depend on two factors: the number of years that teacher has been employed at the school; and the education level of the teacher: bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. There is also fourth salary level, used for those teachers who have credits beyond a master's degree but have not as yet attained a Ph.D. The new contract has incremental increases built in for all three years the contract is valid for.

Under the old contract, a first-year teacher with a bachelor's degree would make $32,110. With a master's degree, $35,110, and with a Ph.D. $38,110. Under the new contract for the 2014-2015 year, that teacher would earn $34,367.31, $35.985.35, or $37,603.40.

While the salary for the BA and MA levels have increased, the salary for the Ph.D. level has actually decreased by $506.60.

At the 10-year mark, the levels under the old contact are $44,715, $47,715, and $50,715. The new contract levels are $45,206.40, $47,334.76, and $49,463.12. The Ph.D. level is still lower, and does not become even with the former contract until the 17th year of teaching.

For the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years, there are gradual increments to the salaries for each level.