Elwood BOE and Teachers Alliance amend contract agreement
Agreement saves district nearly $500K for 2020-21 in light of fiscal constraints

    The Elwood Board of Education and Elwood Teachers Alliance have reached an agreement to amend and extend the ETA’s current contract with the district. The new contract, which extends until June 30, 2025, will fully freeze teachers’ salaries for the 2020-21 school year, resulting in a savings of approximately $500,000 for the upcoming academic year. Elwood is the first school district in Suffolk County to reach such an agreement with its teachers alliance for the 2020-21 school year.
    “In light of the current fiscal crisis, we thank the Elwood Teachers Alliance for their willingness to engage in making shared sacrifices to benefit both our students and residents,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert. “Our teaching staff is incredibly dedicated and hardworking. During a time that I know is challenging for many of our own faculty members, I am pleased that we were able to reach an agreement that will allow the district to preserve programs, services and staffing.”
     For the 2020-21 school year, teachers’ salaries will remain the same as their 2019-20 salaries. There will be no salary or step increases. For the 2021-22 school year, teachers will receive a .5% salary increase plus step increases, followed by three additional contractual years that will include small increases to salaries and increased employee contributions to health care costs.
    “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the district that helps preserve the many outstanding programs offered to our students,” said ETA President Garrett Chesnoff. “We understand that we needed to assist during this time of economic uncertainty and focus on the long-term educational and financial needs of the district’s students and residents."