Chief negotiator Julie Taylor said the agreement was geared to attract more new teachers, so their wage hikes will be more than veteran staffers.

She said beginning teachers will get a 3 percent increase, those at the lowest steps 2-2.5 percent and those at the upper levels 1.5 percent.

“Both sides felt that starting salaries needed additional money, which would be more inviting to new teachers,” Taylor said by phone after the meeting.

The contract also has teachers paying more for their health insurance over the next three years. At the end of the contract, they will be paying 2.5 percent more than they are now, Taylor said.

In other business, Spruce Mountain Elementary School Principal Chris Hollingsworth told directors that improvements to the kitchen are nearly done and staff can begin cooking Monday at the latest.

New lights and ceilings were installed at Spruce Mountain Elementary School in Jay this summer. Seen is the hallway mid project. (Courtesy photo)

Other upgrades include a new boiler, asbestos removed from classrooms and new LED lights in classrooms, hallways and the multi-purpose room.

School board director Doug DiPasquale of Jay said work would be done in the old wing after work in other schools is completed.

Hallways at Spruce Mountain Elementary School in Jay are brighter after new lights and ceilings were installed this summer. (Courtesy photo)

Hollingsworth explained the new Rocket Math program and gave directors a chance to try it.

“The national norm is to complete 40 problems per minute. Not every student can write at the same speed.”

Each director was asked to copy the number shown in the 54 boxes on the test. After one minute the number of boxes filled was counted. That number, Hollingsworth said, is used to set goals for each student and once that goal is met new goals are set.

Director Phoebe Pike of Livermore Falls asked if it was sending the wrong message: getting it done fast.

Hollingsworth said it helps make sure teachers aren’t setting standards too high.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net

Over the summer Spruce Mountain Elementary School in Jay was renovated with several construction projects. Seen is work being done on the roof over the art room. (Courtesy photo)