HUGHESVILLE - The East Lycoming School Board unanimously approved a preliminary agreement with the East Lycoming Education Association at the board's meeting Tuesday night.
The three-year contract will have "very little impact" on taxpayers, Superintendent Michael Pawlik said.
"Because of how conservative and respectful the teachers have been, I think it will have very little impact," he said.
One of the biggest changes in the contract that will be in effect from July 1 to June 30, 2015, are the wage increases.
Wage increases are set at 2 percent for the first year and 3 percent for the second and third year. The average annual increase is 2.66 percent, which is below the 2.9 percent increase in the cost of living.
Contract discussions began in January, making it a four-month process. The goal was not to complete a quick contract but to make sure the school district can financially survive, Pawlik said.
Part of what helped the education association and the school reach an agreement quickly is focusing on the major issues.
"All financial," he said about what they were most concerned about. "The issues are limited to financial issues."
A reduction in the total dollar amount allocated to the Education Incentive Plan also will save the district money. Previously, teachers could receive reimbursements of up to 18 credits of graduate level courses.
The new contract caps at a dollar amount, not a credit amount, which is less than half of what it would cost for 18 credits.
"It's big savings for the district," he said.
For health care, employees will contribute between 9 and 20 percent of the total insurance premium, depending on the years of experience within the district.
