Changes in the contract involve health benefits and salary. SAD 46 previously paid 95 percent of the health premiums, either single subscriber or family, for all education support staff hired before Oct. 3, 1991, and 95 percent for single coverage for those hired after that date, according to SAD 46 Superintendent Les Butler. Under the new contract, the district will pay 100 percent of the single subscriber costs for all education support staff employees hired before Oct. 3, 1991, and 80 percent of dependent coverage, Butler said.

For those hired after Oct. 3, 1991, the district will pay 100 percent single subscriber coverage.

As for salary, these employees will receive a 7 percent increase in 2002-2003 (there was no increase in pay in 2001-2002), a 4 percent increase in 2003-2004, and a 3.5 percent increase in 2004-2005.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Friday, February 07, 2003 edition of the Bangor Daily NEWS and is used here with permission."