Teachers, board ratify new contract

A new 2-year contract that has been negotiated for 18 months has reached a settlement. The teachers will receive a 4.04% raise retroactive to August 2003. They will receive a 3% raise effective August 2004. Teachers have new safety language built into the contract. Reprimands for teachers will be delivered in private. A new 401(a) benefit plan will replace the old early retirement program for teachers. Employees will now manage their own retirement accounts.