In a continuation of the regular school board meeting Aug. 13, the Salisbury Township School District Board of Directors met Aug. 16 to approve a memorandum of understanding signed by the Salisbury Education Association.

In a special meeting Aug. 18, the board accepted the tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement between STSD and SEA effective Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2018 subject to a fully executed written agreement.

According to Attorney John Freund, the agreement was ratified by the SEA Aug. 17.

The solicitor provided the nine key points to the new agreement.

It is a four year agreement.

Deductibles for health insurance increase to $500 for an individual/$1,000 for a family and the plan moves to Highmark PPO 6. The remainder of the current health care plan remains the same.

There is no increase to health care contributions for the life of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Teachers will continue to contribute under the same formula/mechanism as they do currently.

There are no changes in tuition reimbursement.

There is a 2.4 percent salary increase each year inclusive of step movement.

There is a 2.4 percent increase each year for extracurricular positions, department chairs and liaisons.

The proposed memorandum of understanding regarding the selection of teachers for bus duty/detention duty would become part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Start times will be decided by the superintendent each year, with notification of building start/end times to be issued by the superintendent by June 1 of each year preceding the school year in question.

All new hires must earn a real master's degree or already have a real master's degree when hired. Currently teachers can pursue a master's equivalency rather than a real master's degree; the latter is an option and will continue to be.