Teachers union ratifies contract

Michael Rovito/Frontiersman

Members of the Matanuska-Susitna Education Association are one step closer to having a new contract after the 1,150-member group ratified a two-year agreement Thursday.

MSEA outgoing president George Stuart said while some teachers expressed concern over the new contract, most are happy.

The tricky aspect during this year's negotiations is the rapid pace of inflation, Stuart said.

“Prices are going up,” Stuart said. “If you settle for a fixed amount and costs go above a fixed amount that's tough.”

If the two-year contract is approved by the Mat-Su Borough School Board, teachers will receive a 4 percent pay increase during the first year and a 3.75 percent increase in the second. Two days will be added to the year to prepare for parent conferences. Health benefits will be the same as in the previous contract, with a cap requiring employees to pay anything over a 12 percent increase.

In a news release, Stuart says the MSEA is happy to have the contract process behind it and it looking forward to the new school year.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Michael Rovito at 352-2252 or michael.rovito@frontiersman.com.