HIGHLAND FALLS, June 29, 2010 — The Highland Falls – Fort Montgomery Central School District Board of Education and The Town of Highlands Teachers Association, in an effort to protect both the interests of students and taxpayers, entered into an agreement to defer scheduled salary increases for the 2010-2011 school year.

The THTA will delay for one year its scheduled 1.75 percent raise as part of an effort to preserve essential academic programs and services so that they will remain available to children. Specifically, the Teachers Association’s action will ensure that art, music and computer education are maintained in grades K-6, and library services for K-2. The move will also preserve 2.5 positions.

“Our members have made sacrifices in the past and demonstrated concern for maintaining student services during previous economic crises, and this year we are possibly facing our worst financial outlook yet,” stated Michael Mallon, THTA President, “This agreement restores the programs that would have affected the greatest number of children across the grade levels.”

This agreement— as well as the Teachers Association’s previous decision during negotiations in 2009 agreeing to lower-than-average salary increases— represents the THTA’s acute awareness of the community’s economic climate.
“Our teachers continue to be concerned about balancing the fiscal and educational needs of this community,” Kevin D’Onofrio, School Board President commented, “their commitment to our children is commendable.”
The Board of Education unanimously supported this agreement and expressed their thanks to the THTA for once again pitching in to help address the challenges posed by these difficult economic times. The Board of Education is continuing to pursue every funding option to restore badly needed revenue to the school district.

The Board of Education members feel this is a positive example of the important progress that can be made when these two parties work together to address the many issues facing the district, in particular, the significant financial concerns that they now face.