WEA Blog Spot

There has been some discussion about the next year's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and the raise that it provides to teachers. In order to explain the raises that some, but not all, will earn, we will have to explain what is a step and how is it different from a cost of living adjustment (COLA).

About half of Paul School's teachers are on what is called the top step. This means they are at step 13 and their salary will not substantially increase due to more years teaching. They may have earned their experience at Paul School or spent years teaching elsewhere and were hired on the top step to reflect that experience. Unlike less...

The step system which has been in use in almost all public schools across the country is a system that has been in place for decades. That does not mean it is perfect in any way, however it is the system that the WEA, the district, and the town has inherited. One of the complaints made about it is that...

There has been discussion on what the history of the cost of living adjustment (COLA) is and how teachers shouldn't be earning a higher pay increase than the COLA. That is a totally reasonable expectation that the cost of living adjustment applied to the salary schedule is not more than those who are on Social Security earn for their...

Please see our contract reference guide for a quick overview and important questions and answers about what is in the new contract and why. You can find a downloadable copy of the guide and the full contract here.