Perks, benefits make teacher contracts unique

Pay raises of 2 to 3 percent per year have returned to local teacher contracts negotiated this year, after a run of wage freezes tied to the Great Recession.

While the raises generally track statewide averages, a Dayton Daily News review of 14 new ratified contracts shows that school districts and teachers unions get creative with perks.

RELATED: How much are teachers paid in your school district?

RELATED: Little-known facts about teacher compensation

Here’s a sampling of ways that local schools offer different incentives:

  • In Bellbrook, retirement-eligible teachers with 20 years in the district can receive a retirement incentive of $10,000 to $30,000 depending on total experience.
  • Fairborn sets limits on class size (for example, 25 students maximum through fifth grade). Teachers whose classes are over that limit receive $100 per extra student per quarter.
  • In Piqua, teachers will get a 1.5 percent bonus if the district ends the year with more than 120 days worth of expenses in reserve.
  • In Vandalia-Butler, teachers can earn $200 to $800 per year for excellent to perfect attendance.
  • Many districts pay for life insurance for teachers. But while it's $30,000 worth in Vandalia-Butler and $40,000 in Kettering, Centerville's contract calls for insurance at twice the teacher's salary, which for many veteran teachers is more than $150,000.
  • Bellbrook's contract calls for teachers to receive a 1 percent pay bonus for each year that the district receives an overall grade of A or B on the state report card.

For more about the details of local teacher contracts — why schools and teachers reach the deals they do — read Sunday’s Dayton Daily News.

About the Author