Bayport-Blue Point School District and Teachers’ Association Reach
Labor Contract Settlement

The Bayport-Blue Point Union Free School District, its Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools are pleased to announce a settlement of the labor contract with the Bayport-Blue Point Teachers’ Association for the period July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013.

Of significant note is the agreement of the Teachers’ Association negotiators to an 18-month wage freeze. Not until February 1, 2012 will a 2% increase be paid. On July 1, 2012, a 1½% increase will be granted followed by a 1% increase on February 1, 2013. “Throughout the negotiation process the goal was to reach an agreement that preserved the integrity of the quality education our students receive while honoring our commitment to taxpayers to protect their financial investment,” stated Board of Education President James S. March. “The resulting agreement represents a true collaborative effort by the Teachers’ Association, Board of Education and Administration.”

In addition to the foregoing, the Teachers’ Association negotiators have agreed to forego payment of step increment for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years. In both these years, increment will be granted on the very last day of the year thereby eliminating payment of any increment monies to unit members. This two-year freeze of increment amounts to a savings exceeding $1,000,000.”It’s a fair deal for all parties that smartly addresses the problems we are all facing during these difficult economic times,” stated Bayport-Blue Point Teachers’ Association President Kathy Brand.

For comparison purposes, if the District had not entered into this agreement and had negotiations been ongoing for three years without an agreement, the District would have expended over $1,600,000 in automatic step increment, which the District would have been obligated to pay under the law. The elimination of this burden for two years and the resulting cost savings will help enable the Board of Education to meet the extraordinary fiscal crisis facing the District and the State of New York.

“Despite a difficult budget process in a time of economic hardship and uncertainty, the Teachers’ Association, Board of Education and Administration were able to successfully work together and reach an agreement for the benefit of the students and the community,” stated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony J. Annunziato. The cooperation and sacrifice of the teachers of the Bayport-Blue Point School District is to be congratulated.