The Parkland School Board and Education Association have announced they have reached a two-year contract agreement.

The board approved the new contract Aug. 26, which teacher's ratified earlier in the day.

The agreement will be in effect Aug. 31 until Aug. 31, 2016.

The Parkland Education Association represents approximately 640 members, including teachers, nurses, guidance counselors and other professional staff.

The contract includes a 2.25-percent salary increase in year one for members, inclusive of step movements.

In year two, members will again receive an overall 2.25-percent salary increase inclusive of step movement.

Stipend salaries for coaches and clubs or activities advisors will also increase 2.25-percent each year.

Members will be given the option to continue the Classic Blue Indemnity Plan for one more year.

Under that plan, members pay $744 per year for single coverage or $2,028 per year for family coverage.

In the 2013-14 school year, members who chose the PPO6 plan instead of the Indemnity Plan, contributed $390 per year for single coverage and $780 per year for family coverage.

In 2014, members will increase their payroll contributions for the PPO6 plan to $672 for single coverage and $1,344 for family coverage.

In 2015-16, member contributions for the PPO6 plan increase to $840 per year for single and $1,680 per year for family coverage.

A new PPO option will allow members to pay $0 per year for single coverage and $120 per year for family coverage and will include higher deduct-ibles of $750 for single coverage (up from $500 in the PPO6 plan) and $1,500 for family coverage (up from $1,000 in the PPO6 plan) as well as higher employee copayments for services.

Also new in the 2014-15 contract is the provision allowing employees to opt out of health insurance if they show proof of insurance from a spouse or parent.

Employees who choose this option will be given a $1,500 stipend per year to opt out of receiving health insurance.

In the event any health benefit plan offered by the district exceeds threshold requirements for any excise tax associated with the Affordable Care Act, the district and union agreed to share the cost equitably.

Other changes include:

·It will become mandatory in 2014-15 that all employees affected by the new agreement be paid via direct deposit which will save administrative, paper and processing costs;

·Teachers who receive National Board Certification will receive a one-time $3,500 stipend; and

·A Worker's Compensation Panel of Physicians was agreed upon.

Board President Roberta Marcus commented on the agreement.

"This contract is a fiscally responsible and fair agreement for everyone," Marcus said. "Because of savings the district will accrue in healthcare costs, we can ensure we remain competitive with respect to teacher salaries in the Lehigh Valley, thus supporting our efforts to put the finest teachers possible in Parkland classrooms.

"We thank the PEA for being a partner in helping to overcome the educational funding crisis that persists in Pennsylvania and across the nation."

District Superintendent Richard T. Sniscak also commented on the contract.

"Both parties conducted themselves in a professional and collaborative manner throughout the negotiations process," Sniscak said. "The end result is a fair contract that is fiscally responsible, while rewarding our employees for their skills and dedication to the important and varied roles they play within Parkland.

"I commend the team for keeping the preservation of Parkland's programs and services top of mind for the greater good of our community."

President of the PEA Sandi Gackenbach also offered comments.

"Our membership is pleased to have earned a fair contract that rewards staff for ongoing graduate study and professional improvement," Gackenbach said. "We are pleased we could work collaboratively and come to a reasonable settlement worthy of the reputation for excellence that Parkland enjoys."