By Robert Saperstein, ESSAA Attorney
The Wappingers Administrators Association settled its four year contract for the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2007 with significant salary gains. The contract provided 5% in the first year, 2% of which was used to adjust inequities within the unit. Each of the next three years provided a 4.75% increase, with a minimum of 3% guaranteed to each member, and the 1.75% balance to be used either to address any remaining inequities or to be distributed to everyone, or a combination of the two, as determined by the Association and the District. If the parties cannot agree on the distribution, it goes to binding.
It is anticipated that most of the money will be distributed across-the board. A merit pay plan in the previous contract was also eliminated.
Additionally, the District will contribute 0.5% of salary into a tax-deferred annuity for each administrator. Contributions towards health insurance were increased to 12.5% over the life of the contract, but an IRC § 125 plan was implemented so the contributions were in pre-tax dollars. Welfare fund contributions by the District were increased by $300 a member over the contract.