WEST HAVEN — A new three-year contract for West Haven’s public school teachers goes to the City Council tonight, Monday, Oct. 26. The council’s regular meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Harriet C. North Community Room on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St., and the teachers’ agreement is on the agenda.
The Board of Education has already signed off. In an Oct. 13 letter to the council, included in the meeting packet, Superintendent Neil C. Cavallaro wrote that the board unanimously approved the agreement with the West Haven Federation of Teachers on Oct. 5. The letter says the board’s attorney, Floyd Dugas, will walk the council through it, and the packet includes the settlement, a red-lined copy of the contract and salary comparison data.
What the contract covers
The deal is with Local 1547 of the American Federation of Teachers. According to the packet, it runs from Sept. 1, 2027, through Aug. 31, 2030.
- Most of the salary scale stays put. Steps 2 through 10 are the same in all three years. A step 2 teacher with a bachelor’s degree earns $45,111. At step 10, pay is $80,123 with a bachelor’s, $85,538 with a bachelor’s plus 30 credits and $90,950 with a bachelor’s plus 60.
- Teachers move up a step. Teachers who aren’t already at the top of the scale advance one step.
- The top step goes up every year. At step 11, a teacher with a bachelor’s degree would earn $92,831 in 2027-28, $96,173 in 2028-29 and $98,962 in 2029-30. At the bachelor’s-plus-60 level, step 11 rises to $105,375, then $109,169, then $112,335.
- Doctorates. The salary schedule lists a $3,500 stipend for teachers with a Ph.D. or Ed.D.
- Coaching and activity stipends rise a little each year. For example, one head soccer coach stipend in the schedule goes from $2,499 to $2,549 to $2,600.
- Hourly work pays more. The hourly rate for homebound, evening and summer school teaching rises from $45 to $50 starting Sept. 1, 2028.
The pages of the packet that were readable don’t include the current salary schedule side by side, so this story doesn’t put a percentage on the raises. The comparison data the board sent the council should answer that question at the meeting.
Cavallaro’s letter was copied to Board of Education Chair Cebi Waterfield, Mayor Dorinda Borer, City Clerk John Lewis and federation President Kristen Scanlon.
Also on tonight’s agenda
- An amended resolution for American Rescue Plan Act project 2023-023, the library site development project.
- Charter Revision, listed under unfinished business.
- A report from Police Chief Joseph Perno on animal shelter donations totaling $325.
How to follow along
The meeting is open to the public, and Council Chairman Christopher E. Vargo Jr. presides. The agenda and the full packet, including the contract pages, are posted on the city’s Agenda Center. Milford Voice will report what the council decides.
AT A GLANCE
What: West Haven City Council regular meeting
When: Monday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
Where: Harriet C. North Community Room, 2nd floor, City Hall, 355 Main St.
Teachers’ contract: Sept. 1, 2027 – Aug. 31, 2030; approved by the Board of Education Oct. 5
Packet: cityofwesthaven.com Agenda Center
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