Andover Public Schools and the ndover Education Association have reached a contract agreement for the 2008-
2009 school year.

Under the agreement the starting salary for a teacher in the district is raised to
$37,789 plus a single health insurance. The package will result in approximately 4.98
percent new wages paid in teacher salaries in 2008-2009.

“The Interest Based Bargaining process was very effective in allowing the Board and the AEA to work together for an agreement that will benefit the staff and our schools. The Board and the community value our teachers, and this agreement demonstrates their
commitment,” said Superintendent of Schools Mark A. Evans. “This is a great district with quality teachers, and it is very positive to come to an agreement prior to the beginning of the school term.”

“The Andover Education Association negotiating team members, along with the BOE administrative representatives, worked very hard to come to a contract agreement Building on the Foundation of Excellence
2 that would benefit the educators and students of Andover Public Schools,” AEA President Craig Gray said. “It has always been the Association's mission to help to create a hiring package that will attract the best and brightest teachers. We continue to desire to
be pro-active in our quest for continuing the excellence in education that this district has demonstrated. We appreciate the support of the Board of Education as we collectively
work toward that goal.”

In addition to the adoption of a college tuition reimbursement program, the final agreement compressed the previous salary schedule and will allow the district to continue to be very competitive in recruiting new staff and compensating current staff.

Ninety-eight percent of certified staff members who voted approved the
agreement, and the Andover Public Schools Board of Education approved the agreement at their regular board meeting last night (July 14).
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