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An association representing teachers and the Edmonton Catholic Schools have ratified a deal after more than 16 months without a contract.

School board trustees approved the deal at a board meeting Tuesday. The previous contract expired at the end of August 2018 and this new agreement will expire at the end of August 2020. Bargaining began last November.

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Key to the new deal is an additional $100,000 being put into a professional development fund teachers can use for things like leadership courses, or for completing course work in a masters or PhD program. There will be an extra $30,000 available to pay for substitute teachers when full-time teachers are away for this training.

Teachers will also now have the option to split their health spending account with a second wellness account — which could be used to pay for something like a gym pass — and substitute teachers will only have to work 40 days, instead of 50, to attend a faith development day with pay.

Sandra Haltiner, president of the Edmonton Catholic Teachers Local 54, said this round of bargaining was collegial, and the additional funds for professional development are a highlight.

“I think it’s great for teachers, I think that it’s also great for the division. They’re having teachers seeking professional development. And what that does is just continues to improve the practice of Alberta teachers that are already doing great things in their classrooms and with students every day,” Haltiner said.

lboothby@postmedia.com

@laurby