Teachers' contract approved

Jay County teachers have a new contract.

In a brief meeting at 7 a.m. today, Jay School Board members gave unanimous approval to a new pact for the 2017-18 school year.

Jay Classroom Teachers Association had ratified the contract proposal Thursday night.

The agreement comes two weeks after negotiations had been declared at impasse after failing to reach an accord by the state deadline of Nov. 15.

Superintendent Jeremy Gulley said the contract:

•Changes language to allow for the JCTA president to be free from classroom duties while working with the administration on items such as negotiation.

•Calls for a one-time stipend payment of $300 to all teachers in December.

•Boosts the base salary for teachers by $300.

•Restores language allowing for sabbatical leaves of absence.

•Allows for the addition of an after-school class in American Sign Language.

Gulley noted that in the school corporation’s tight fiscal straits it can be a challenge to reach an agreement that’s fair to all parties.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the association … to keep and attract good people,” Gulley said.

The contract was approved by board members Kristi Betts, Cory Gundrum, Phil Ford, Krista Muhlenkamp, Beth Krieg, Ron Laux and Mike Shannon.