Yellowknife (May 16/03) - Yellowknife Education District No. 1 and the NWT Teachers' Association can agree on one thing: they are uneasy about the three-year contract they recently ratified.

On April 30, 54 per cent of the NWTTA members voted to accept the tentative agreement reached between the association and the school district. The school board ratified it Tuesday.

David Murphy, president of the NWTTA, admits the vote was a close one.

"There are a huge number of members that are unsatisfied," he said. "The narrowness indicates a desire for an improved contract next time."

The two parties started negotiating in January. The present contract expired Aug. 31.

Murphy said a three-year is "rare" but felt it was necessary to protect teachers against impending funding problems the GNWT is facing.

Under the new contract teachers, principals, assistant principals, department heads and salary related allowances will have a three, two and two per cent salary increase over the next three years. And $30,000 will be added to the Professional Development Fund bringing the fund up to $80,000 a year.

Trustees are concerned the monetary commitments in the contract will create financial woes for a future board.

"We could be putting ourselves in a position where we could be looking at a deficit," said trustee Maureen Miller.

"A three-year deal is a wise decision for long-term stability in the district. It builds a trust and keeps transparency," said trustee Rob Meckling.

"The contract had no negatives," said Murphy. "We did build on our current contract."

NWTTA represents 190 Yellowknife Education District 1 teachers and educational assistants.