By DEBORAH BUCKHALTER
Almost every teacher in the Jackson County Education Association ratified the terms of their new contract with the Jackson County School Board late Thursday afternoon, with final approval of the terms to be considered by the school board on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
School officials, in press releases after the vote, indicated that the board has been supportive over the course of negotiations leading to the contract offer.
According to a press release from the office of Jackson County School Superintendent Steven Benton, 99 percent of teachers in the JCEA voted to ratify it.
It increases the starting salary for new teachers in the system and gives veterans of it a minimum increase of $1,500 a year.