At Monday's meeting, Board President Aaron Cubbage said a tax increase was not planned for at least the next two years.
Voting for the extension were Ricci, Cubbage, Frank DiEgidio, Steven Hatch and Robert J. Flood. Byron Mundy, Suzanne Murtha, Trina Carney and Michael Ropski voted against the extension, citing costs, lack of information and shortened negotiating time.
"This early-bird contract is an insult to the taxpayers of our district and to all the excellent teachers in our private and parochial schools who do a great job at much lower levels of compensation," Mundy said later.
Teachers would receive raises of 2.5 percent the first year and 3 percent each year thereafter, according to the contract.
Under the contract, Mundy said, teachers at the top of the pay scale (those with a master's degree and 45 additional credits) could see their pay rise from the current level of $74,807 to $83,787 by 2006.
Starting pay for full-time teachers would remain at $32,223, with the opportunity to reach top pay within 15 years, he said.
In exchange for the raises, the union would agree to a yearly prescription-drug deductible of $150 for single teachers and $300 for families, plus a prescription-drug co-payment plan. The co-payment plan, Ricci said, would save the district $66,000 a year, starting in 2002.
"I think it's a good deal, it's fair to all sides," said Carolyn McCorriston-Carcher, the union's chief negotiator.
The total cost of the contract is expected to be about $3 million, district officials said.
Steve Esack's e-mail address is esacks@phillynews.com.
