MOUNT VERNON — For the second year in a row, teachers’ salaries in the Mount Vernon City School district have been frozen and no steps increases will be awarded.
The board of education ratified the new contract with the Mount Vernon Education Association at its meeting Monday. The contract will be in effect from July 1 to June 30, 2013.
Superintendent Steve Short said only about 20 teachers will receive increases, and those are due to lateral movement on the salary schedule due to the completion of extra educational requirements; for example, when someone with a bachelor’s degree with 150 credit hours earns a master’s degree.
The employees will also be paying more for their health insurance and dental coverage premiums. Two years ago, Short said, employees paid 10 percent and the board paid 90 percent of the premium costs. Last year the employee’s share was 15 percent and the new contract specifies employees will now pick up 22.27 percent of the premiums for health insurance. Last year employees paid none of the dental coverage premiums; as of July 1 they will be paying 15 percent.
Actual dollar figures for the premiums will not be available until the district signs a new health care contract with the provider.
