Jersey City teachers will receive a 6 percent raise over the next two years if they ratify a contract that has already been agreed upon by the union and school district.

Teachers in the 29,000-student district walked off the job last month saying they need relief from Chapter 78, New Jersey's 2011 law that revamped how public employees pay for their health benefits, has decreased their take-home pay despite salary increases.

A copy of the contract obtained by The Jersey Journal indicates teachers would receive a retroactive 3.5 percent raise dated back to September, when the last contract expired. They would receive another 2.75 percent raise at the beginning of next school year.

Insurance deductions would be frozen at the rate they were paying on Sept. 1 through June 30, with Chapter 78 statuary deductions resuming in July. As of April 1, co-pays for 30- and 90-day prescriptions would be increased by $5, according to the contract.

Beginning next school year, teachers who are individually insured would receive a stipend for 1.75 percent of their salary, two-adult and parent-child plans would receive a 2 percent stipend, and those with family plans would receive a 2.25 percent stipend.

Teachers are expected to vote on the contract, which expires June 2019, on Thursday ahead of the school board meeting at 6 p.m. The Jersey City Education Association did not immediately respond for comment on the contract.

Faced with a $71 million short fall, the district's initial budget calls for 334 positions to be eliminated, including 209 teachers. The agenda for Thursday night's meeting indicates six titles from the central office would be eliminated. Teachers in seven subject areas – four of which fall under reading and language arts – would also be affected.

Jersey City residents will also see a 2 percent tax hike under the proposed budget.

The school board meeting will be held at Snyder High School.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.