The Fall River Educators Association (FREA) and the School Committee have approved a new three-year contract that aims to close the pay gap between teachers in Fall River and their counterparts in school districts across the region.
FREA President Keith Michon says Fall River has historically had a difficult time recruiting and retaining teachers and the new contract helps address the problem by making changes to the teachers’ salary schedule in the first year combined with across the board pay increases in the second and third year of the deal.
Under the amended pay schedule, new teachers with a bachelor’s degree will earn $46,222, compared to $43,067 a year ago. At the other end of the scale, teachers at the new top step with a doctorate degree will now earn $83,272 compared to $79,847 last year.
Other terms of the contract include recognition for teachers leading professional development workshops, more preparation time for district nurses and fostering leadership within the rank and file.
Michon says the membership is still concerned about beginning the new school year on September first without clear guidance to deal with the growing threat of COVID-19.
Regardless of the impact the pandemic may have in the coming year, teachers are looking forward to working with their students in person.
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