Despite Layoffs, Teachers Get 3.9% Pay Raises
• Rogers Says Salaries Agreed Upon in 'Harmonious Setting'
Apr 6, 2010 – Despite projected teacher layoffs in Nutley, costs for instructor salaries are going up for the coming school-year. A 3.9 percent pay increase for the 2010-11, the Board of Education was disclosed last night. Maximum salaries for teachers with master's degrees will be increased to $87,776. By comparison, the state-wide maximum is $82,575.
The new minimum salary for incoming teachers with bachelor degrees, presently at $45,365, will increase to $46,836 in September. The 2010-11 state-wide average for beginning teachers is $48,601.
The Board of Education unanimously adopted the new salary scales last night. None of the 30 persons attending the session expressed opposition to the pay increases.
"This salary guide represents a very reasonable and fair agreement, especially in these economic times," trustee Steve Rogers said. He thanked the teachers for "seeing and understanding the needs of the taxpayers and the children of this district. The negotiations were settled in a very harmonious setting."
Changes in health benefit packages that lower costs to taxpayers were also approved by teachers, trustee Jim Kutcha said last night. Kutcha oversaw a committee that negotiated changes in both the traditional and "direct access" benefits plans.
Kuchta said the average savings earned when 20 employees opted to switch from the traditional to "direct access" health plans totaled $75,000. He also said higher deductible limits in the "traditional" health plan will save another $183,000.
