Old Town teachers ratify contract terms

OLD TOWN — The Old Town Teachers’ Association on Wednesday ratified the new contract they had negotiated for more than a year.

By a 90-10 vote, the teachers approved the new document, the details of which will remain under wraps until the School Board also gives its approval, perhaps during next Tuesday’s meeting.

The ratification came during a brief 40-minute meeting, according to OTA President Ralph Canney, who said that most of the gathering was spent dealing with clarifications rather than dissensions.

Canney gave credit to the School Board and Superintendent John J. Grady for their roles, and said that the tone during the negotiations, which began in December 1989, always was professional and favorable.

Grady said Wednesday that the board now faced negotiations with the principals, and that the custodians are expected to ratify their contract soon.

“I’m very happy, very pleased,” Grady said, adding that the talks “just jelled so well in the last few weeks.”

“As Grady would say, `We’re finally in the same pew,’ ” Canney said.