the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board of Education approved a new four-year contract agreement with the Ridgewood Education Association, which includes a 2.95% salary increase and some enhanced benefits.
May 29, 2024
Dear Ridgewood Community,
At the May 20th Board meeting, the Ridgewood Board of Education approved a new four-year contract agreement with the Ridgewood Education Association (REA). This agreement strengthens our commitment to attracting and retaining high-quality educators for our students in a highly competitive teacher market.
Investing in Our Teachers
The contract offers a competitive compensation package, including:
Salary Increases: A 2.95% salary increase inclusive of increment for each year, with salary guide enhancements of $152,681 (year one), $157,643 (year two), $162,766 (year three), and $168,056 (year four) that focus on increasing compensation on the lower steps of the teacher salary guide to attract and retain teachers. Although the overall settlement rate is equal to 3.25%, the actual amount spent is less each year when savings from retirements and attrition are calculated.
Enhanced Benefits: The district will offer a new optional Vision Plan with coverage for eyeglasses and contact lenses and add orthodontic coverage to the existing Dental Plan. Staff will contribute to these premiums costs.
Positive Outcomes
We are pleased to have reached this agreement collaboratively with the REA. This contract provides competitive compensation and benefits for our teacher while honoring our responsibility to the community and taxpayers for well run and effective schools.
The Board’s Negotiations Team achieved several key goals:
Settling the agreement before the current contract expires – ensuring stability for the upcoming school years.
Addressing teacher shortages – focusing on attracting and retaining high-quality teachers is crucial in today’s competitive job market.
Maintaining a competitive edge – helping us to stay competitive with other high-performing districts when recruiting top educators.
Investing in Our Future
By investing in our teachers, we invest in the future of our students and our community. We are committed to providing a strong learning environment and appreciate the dedication of our educators and the support of our community.
Sincerely,
Sheila Brogan, president
Mohammed Mahmoud, vice president
Ridgewood Board of Education
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Highly overpaid.
Jeez…I remember years (2009-10) when we didn’t get a raise….0%!
Federal government workforce got 0% from 2010 – 2013, and 1% each year from 2014 – 2016. Those were lean years for everyone including private industry.
If you read through the B of Ed meeting agendas, each month you will see several teachers being moved from 1 FTE (full time equivalent) to a 1.2 FTE and getting their salary adjusted accordingly. That is a big jump, say 20% salary increase. This has been going on for at least a year, perhaps more. Does anyone know why this is happening? Is this a permanent salary increase for all of these teachers (can’t even count how many over past few months maybe 75+) or is the temporary? Was this increase in salary agreed on to the 1 FTE equivalent salary or the 1.2 FTE salary?
Turns out if you want a good school system, you need to pay a good salary.
Crazy, I know.
Check me but is she saying that a teacher’s salary will be guided to $168K after four years? With summers off and high quality health benefits, I am not sure if this is sustainable. Can this Village afford current salaries and future pension cost which will be marked at the negotiated percentage of final years base salary?
Yes
What a joke, the entire BOE needs to go! Who is running the ship…Dumb and Dummer…
I thought Saurabh and Dani were good with money ?
Well the business admin obviously wasn’t since she got walked out! You think teachers are overpaid ?check out the administration salaries! Insane for what they do. I mean don’t do