UPDATED 6/4/2014
It looks like a deal has been reached between Traverse City Area Public Schools and its teachers. Members of the union have voted to accept a tentative deal that was hashed out over seven hours at the bargaining table Friday.
The agreement still has to be approved by the TCAPS board of education. That is expected to happen at their meeting Monday, according to the district's executive director of human resources, Chris Davis. She said this week that the deal falls within parameters set by the board.
The agreement contains a two-percent pay raise for next school year. That’s similar to a recommendation from a state arbitrator who was called in after negotiations stalled this winter. It also calls for a one percent pay bump for the following year.
So-called “step” increases based on education and years of service are also included in the deal and there there are some insurance changes designed to contain costs.
The Traverse City Education Association worked without a contract last school year. There is no retroactive pay raise in the bargain.