The Newburgh Board of Education unanimously approved Tuesday, December 12, two memorandums of agreement between the Newburgh Teachers Association (NTA) and the Newburgh Teachers Association (Teaching Assistant Bargaining Unit). These contracts see annual increases to pay for both parties and amendments to various contract articles. The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) has also reached contract ratification and is anticipated to appear before the board in the new year.

The online database Salary.com states that “the average Public School Teacher salary in Newburgh, NY is $61,878 as of November 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $51,664 and $75,468.” The report further states that the salary ranges vary, based on important factors which include education, certifications, additional skills and the number of years in the profession.

The NTA agreement, posted on the BoardDocs website, states under salaries and professional compensation, the in-service course instructors’ pay is raised to $60 effective July 1, 2023. Effective July 1, 2024 the pay increases to $62. Nationally Board Certified Teachers pay increases to $75 effective July 1, 2023 and increases to $78 effective July 1, 2024. The agreement also states an increase to the district’s per capita/per annum contribution to the NTA Benefit Trust Fund by $75 for the 2023-2024 school year and an additional $75 increase for the 2024-2025 school year.

Under the NTA (Teaching Assistant Bargaining Unit) agreement, the agreement notes that for longevity (L) increases, L10, L15, L20 and L25 would increase by $150 effective July 1, 2023 and then $150 again July 1, 2024. The listed numbers represent years of service. Salary schedules within this teaching assistant agreement would see an increase of 3 percent each year and health insurance would increase by .75percent as of January 1, 2024. This agreement would also see the same amount and annual increase to the NTA Benefit Trust Fund each year.

Each of the agreements posted online also include various contract article modifications or deletions to their sections prior to approval. Only several months ago in the fall, district educators, teaching assistants and other supporters had marched to the board meeting seeking a new contract. The march came just a few days after the start of the 2023-2024 school year and now contracts have been approved.

“I would like to commend both the NTA Teachers and NTA Teaching Assistants leaderships for their efforts, along with that of their negotiating teams, in bringing about the successful conclusion of the bargaining process for new collective bargaining agreements which cover this year and next,” said Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell, Superintendent of Schools. “The members of these unions have ratified the contract terms and I am recommending the same to our Board of Education in recognition of the dedication our educators have to our scholars, understanding that competitive compensation and professional working conditions are an important part of that appreciation. I hope that these contracts will help our district both attract and retain highly qualified educators for our children. We look forward to continuing our work together to provide a quality education for every Goldback, every day.”

Other contracts are still being reviewed and/or ratified by the district. Board of Education Attorney David Shaw provided additional updates on contracts for the board. “The teachers contract is settled as of today [Dec. 12], teaching assistants settled as of today, the per diem substitutes were settled for last year with a major increase that this board recognized as being important was settled. They’re back at the bargaining table right now and that’ll be considered,” said Shaw. “The CSEA unit contract is settled, they’re ratifying the contract. As soon as that’s ratified by the CSEA membership, I expect you’ll be voting on that. The administrator’s contract does not expire until June 30. The status of the labor relations agreements right now is very good.”

John Fisher, Unit President for 7910 CSEA, was proud to announce that as of 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, the contract for the CSEA had been ratified. The 7910 unit makes up 450 members, all in the district.

“Although we can always want more, I think that we were compensated fairly and the district did right by us,” said Fisher. “From the few people I spoke with directly and members that have been here for many years, they said this is one of the best contracts they have ever seen.”

According to Fisher, the contract sees the CSEA’s health insurance remain the same, a five percent increase on longevity for unit members during the three years of the contract, stipends for various employees increased and for unit members, salary increases 2.5 percent in year one, three percent in year two and four percent in year three.

“We were in constant negotiations, it just took longer because of the things that we wanted as well and we did not want to rush this contract,” said Fisher. “Overall, I think we accomplished the goal moving forward. Again, we can always ask for more, but I think it was equitable across the board.”

The contract between the CSEA and the district will be in effect from July 1, 2023 until July 1, 2026. The contract for the CSEA is anticipated to appear before the board of education in the early new year.

Library to host Kwanzaa celebration
The Newburgh Free Library and UJIMA Literacy Program will host Celebrations and Traditions of Kwanzaa Thursday, December 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. representing UJIMA, the third principle of Kwanzaa, “Collective Work and Responsibility.”

Kwanzaa is a period of time that celebrates African American and Pan-African culture for families and communities which begins on Tuesday, December 26 and is celebrated till Monday, January 1, 2024.