Agreement Includes Competitive Salary Increases and Health Care Contribution Changes
The Waterville Central School District Board of Education has officially approved a new three-year contract with the Waterville Teachers’ Association (WTA), extending through June 30, 2028. The Board voted unanimously 5-0 to adopt the agreement at its June 17, 2025 meeting. The WTA ratified the contract the previous day with a vote of 72-0 with 100 percent of its membership voting in favor.
Board of Education President Dan Nichols stated, “We are extremely pleased to have come to this agreement, which provides a competitive salary structure for both teachers and teacher assistants while also maintaining fiscal integrity for the school district and its taxpayers.”
The new contract includes an average salary increase of 4% over the three-year period. “With the current shortage of teachers, this increase will allow the district to be more competitive regionally to attract and retain our highly qualified teachers,” said Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Spring. “During the last few years, there has been a lot of talk in the community about teacher turnover. I believe this will help to address that.”
In addition to competitive salary increases, the agreement includes a phased increase in employee health care contributions, totaling a 2-percentage-point rise over the course of the contract.
WTA President Jeff Lenard expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, saying, “I am very pleased we were able to accomplish this agreement. This is a positive move and demonstrates the district’s value and commitment to its teachers.”
This year, the district and the WTA used a new approach—Facilitated Intensive Negotiations (FIN)—a collaborative, solutions-focused process supported by a trained facilitator from the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). This model allowed both parties to reach a fair and timely agreement while strengthening trust and communication through three consecutive days of intensive negotiations.
The contract reflects a strong partnership between the district and its educators, reaffirming a shared commitment to student success, fiscal responsibility, and the long-term stability of the Waterville Central School District.