Phillipsburg teachers OK new contract Larger raises traded for no health care contribution. Board weighs in Monday. Wednesday, June 20, 2007 • By DANIEL HAUSMANN • The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | District teachers have approved the school board's contract offer with an overwhelming 98 percent of the vote, according to board members. The teachers agreed Monday to a new three-year contract calling for 4.3 percent annual salary raises and no health care contribution. The previous contract expired in July 2006. The process could end Monday when the board is expected to vote on the contract. The health care contribution was a sticking point for both sides, with the board looking to cut into the rising cost of insurance. In the end, the board traded two-tenths of a percent reduction on the teachers' annual salary increase for no health care contribution. "I think it's a fair contract," board negotiations committee member Thomas McGuire said. "When you look at wins and losses, there's never a winner and loser." The contract for 428 teachers was approved Monday, though it's not known how many members took part in the vote. Phillipsburg Education Association President Barbara English did not return multiple calls for comment. School Superintendent Gordon Pethick declined to comment on the contract until the board weighs in Monday. The deal includes a clause allowing employees who enroll in a family member's health plan to receive a cash payout equal to one-third of their expected benefits. According to the board, the district could save up to $400,000 in annual insurance costs through that clause. In 2005-06, the district paid out $8.2 million in health care, just under 14 percent of the school budget. The median salary for the district in 2005-06 was $56,218, according to the state Department of Education. The state median average for a K-12 district is $53,871. The last contract included a 3.8 percent annual hike. That was on top of a 3 percent increase teachers received for creating a longer work day. Reporter Daniel Hausmann can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at dhausmann@express-times.com.