WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. June 29, 2004, Updated 9:45 P.M. E.D.T.: The Superintendent of Schools office announced Tuesday that the White Plains City School District and the White Plains Teachers Association have reached an accord on a new contract for the next three years. Michelle Schoenfeld told WPCNR this afternoon the Board of Education is planning to approve the contract at their meeting next Tuesday night.

Ms. Schoenfeld said the contract calls for a 3.5% pay increase across the board in each of the three years.

WPCNR has also learned that the teachers in the new contract have agreed to perpetuate the 9-period day at the high school, in which teachers will teach 5 classes, have 1 prep period, 1 lunch, 1 free period, and 1 period for administrative duties. This is not a change, but solidifies the arrangement now in existence at the high school.

The 3.5% per year raise will be "offset" in the words  by the teachers agreeing to pay a greater share of the health insurance costs as part of the new contract.

In other provisions, teachers' continuing education credits were changed to be required to actual graduate credits. WPCNR hopes to provide more details tomorrow.