Danbury Schools, teacher union agree on new contract

DANBURY TWP.— Danbury Schools teachers will soon see pay raises.With a 3-1 vote, district board members Wednesday and approved a new three-year contract between union members and district officials. One board member abstained because they are married to a teacher.The new contract goes through Aug. 2021 and retroactively began Aug. 1. The previous contract expired July 31. Changes in the newest contract include:• Increasing teacher salaries by 1.5 percent the first year, 1.75 percent in the second year and two percent the third year of the contract.• The teacher union agreeing to pay three percent more for health insurance premiums and give the highest teacher salary possible to educators with 30 years experience, up from 25 years previously.Officials on both sides have worked on contract agreements for three months, union spokesperson Joseph Fetzer said. Initially, a federal mediator was brought in to assist with negotiations, but both sides could not reach an agreement.The previous contract was also a three-year contract but included a two to 2.5 percent raise."We're happy that the process is completed and that we're moving forward," Fetzer said.Danbury's teacher union represents about 46 teachers, most of whom are experienced educators."About 60 percent of these teachers have a master's degree or higher and most of them have 15 years experience or more," Fetzer said. "They're a highly qualified staff."Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodDanbury Schools