NK School Committee approves new teacher contract

NORTH KINGSTOWN—The North Kingstown School Committee approved a three-year contract with its teachers union on Tuesday evening, ending a negotiation period which began with educators demanding better compensation.

“The overall process of negotiation was an amicable one,” said Superintendent Philip Auger. “It did take some time, more because of scheduling conflicts. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, and at times things got frustrating, but that’s what happens when major contracts take place.”

“I think we came out in a good place here.”

The contract will cost the district approximately $1.9 million over the three-year period, from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2019. That figure represents a two percent increase in base salary for teachers each year for the length of the contract, as well as other pension and FICA earnings.

Director of Business Administration Mary King said that the savings to the district with the new contract were minimal, including the elimination of printing costs and a stipend which would have applied to only five teachers over the contract’s course. The stipend elimination saves the district approximately $2,000 per person.

In June, teachers gathered at North Kingstown High School to voice displeasure about contract negotiations. Over 100 teachers held signs asking for a fair contract at the time, and Kevin DuBois, President of the North Kingstown chapter of the National Education Association (NEANK), appealed to the school committee amid applause from the attending teachers.

“We have great schools and some of the best educators and support staff that I know,” said DuBois, also a teacher at Davisville Middle School. “That needs to be recognized by more than a few comments in the public, though to hear that support publicly is also appreciated.”

On Tuesday evening, member Robert Jones cautioned the school committee that changes to the state’s pension fund announced by Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner would have an impact on the school district, especially by FY 2019.

“We should realize that the pension issue is not really solved,” he said. “A lot of people are unhappy with what came out, and I don’t think it starts to scratch the surface of what we might see.”