Ridgefield teachers ratify contract; school starts Tuesday

Teachers in the Ridgefield School District voted to ratify a new three-year contract Monday afternoon, clearing the way for students to begin school Tuesday.

“This has been a real victory for our teachers,” said Alan Adams, president of Ridgefield teachers union. “Teachers across the board are seeing significant raises.”

The vote was 87.1 percent in favor with about 165 members voting.

The three-year deal gives teachers a 16 percent increase in total compensation this year, then another 5 percent increase in years two and three. The salary range for year one will be $48,346 to $95,788; year two: $49,546 to $98,165; and year three: $50,774 to $100,598.

Ridgefield was negotiating a full contract, and Adams said teachers bargained for an average class size of 31 in middle and high school with a cap of 35 students per class in each.

Also in agreement, teachers will have a “strong voice” in choosing curriculum, Adams said. More language was added to contracts for smaller case loads in the district’s special education program.

Teachers and the district reached a tentative agreement shortly after 4 a.m. Monday. They met at 3 p.m. Monday to ratify the contract.

“We’re really pleased and thrilled to be able to start school tomorrow,” said Superintendent Nathan McCann. “Both sides worked relentlessly.”

This story will be updated.