Wantagh teachers' union takes lower raise

After 14 months of often-tense negotiations, Wantagh's 275-member teacher union has accepted pay raises averaging slightly under 1 percent a year -- evidently, the lowest in Nassau County.

The new agreement, approved by the union last month and by the district last week, provides a 0.75 percent contractual raise next year, followed by no raise in 2012-13. However, teachers and other professional workers will get the usual "step" increases built into salary schedules that, according to the district, provide an average 2.2 percent in extra pay.

Wantagh school officials say the relatively low pay increases should help their district weather any caps on property taxes that Albany might impose in coming months. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is preparing to stump the state for a 2 percent cap that would take effect in 2012-13, if state lawmakers approve.

"We're thinking that, if that kicks in, we're well positioned with low increases or no increase at all," said Lydia Begley, Wantagh's superintendent. She described the agreement as "fair, but conservative."

A previous contract expired in June, and teachers have appeared at board meetings wearing gray union shirts to express their discontent.

The new contract provides staggered, retroactive raises totaling 1.5 percent for the current school year. In 2013-14, teachers will get a 1 percent raise in July, followed by 0.75 percent in February.

The agreement also will save money, district officials say, by gradually raising teachers' contributions to health-insurance premiums, from 15 percent to 20 percent. In addition, coaching stipends will be frozen for the life of the contract, and "step" raises will be delayed six months in each of the contract's last two years.

Two years ago, Wantagh voters rejected a proposed school budget -- forcing parents to raise an estimated $650,000 in private contributions to save sports and other programs. Now, district officials voice hope that their tough bargaining will convince residents to support the latest $70.1 million budget plan, which would raise spending 1.46 percent and taxes 3.99 percent.

West Islip teachers, meanwhile, have agreed to a six-month freeze on salaries and "steps" for the next school year. Originally, they were to get a 1.5 percent contractual raise, plus "step" increases averaging 2.5 percent to 3 percent. Also, health-insurance contributions will gradually rise from 15 percent to 17 percent.

In 2012-13, teachers will retain a 3 percent raise, plus "steps." In addition, they have obtained a two-year contract extension through 2014-15, with two annual raises of 2 percent each, plus "steps."

Steve Gellar, president of West Islip's school board, said the revised contract would save $1.1 million next year, allowing the district to retain eight teaching jobs and hold class sizes and course offerings to current levels.

Other contract deals

Recently negotiated teacher contracts in other school districts also included relatively low raises:

SHOREHAM-WADING RIVER: Raises average 0.875 percent annually over four years, with no raise the first year. However, teachers retain annual "step" increases built into their salary schedule. Regional union officials said contract terms were Long Island's lowest.

EAST WILLISTON: Raises average 1.1 percent annually over four years, with no contractual raise the first year. Two of the four annual "step" increases will be deferred six months. Union officials described contract terms as the lowest in Nassau County, prior to approval of Wantagh's new agreement.

-- JOHN HILDEBRAND