Author: megan zerez

ITHACA, N.Y. — Teachers and their supporters cheered and embraced in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) boardroom Tuesday night after district leaders gave final approval to a new labor contract. Tuesday’s vote marked the end of a nearly year-long negotiation process between the Ithaca Teachers’ Association (ITA) and school district leaders. While the union’s roughly 580 members overwhelmingly voted to approve the contract in December, the board’s Jan. 27 vote was the final step to formal ratification. One of the largest victories for the union is the implementation of a “step-and-lane” salary schedule. The Ithaca Teachers Association was previously…