RIDGEFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

70 Prospect Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut  06877

Phone: (203) 431-2800    Fax (203) 431-2810

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 14, 2009

Re:   RIDGEFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION/ NEA-RIDGEFIELD

The Ridgefield Board of Education is pleased to announce a new three-year agreement with the Ridgefield teachers union, the NEA-R.

Richard Steinhart, Chairman of the Board’s Negotiation Committee, commented, “We were pleased to have settled the contract with the NEA-R last week.  The union leaders clearly understood the difficulty the current economic climate brings to the taxpayers of Ridgefield.  The union worked closely with us in developing the new contract and helping us control the ever escalating costs of health care insurance.”

John Palermo, a significant contributor to the contract discussions added, “The new contract carries on the process of migrating district employees to cost effective Health Savings Accounts.  These innovative health plans continue to provide excellent benefits to all teachers while significantly helping to ease the budget burden on Ridgefield tax payers.”

The saving generated by moving teachers to the HSA benefit model allowed for salary increases of 1%, 2.5% and 3% over the course of the three-year term. In addition, the teachers will see their life insurance cap increase from $80,000 to $100,000.

Geri Carley, President of NEA-R, stated, “In this current economic climate, the teachers were pleased to reach a three-year agreement with the Board of Education, one that allows for modest salary increases, while realizing that we have a responsibility to the community of Ridgefield, to either participate in the lower cost HSA insurance model or shoulder a higher premium share with the current health insurance plan.   In the end, what’s most important is the fact that the high quality of programs and instruction in the Ridgefield school system will be maintained.”