The negotiations towards a new teacher's contract between the Blue Ridge Board of Education and Blue Ridge Teachers Federation was a very long process but in the end, both sides say they are pleased they were able to come to an agreement.

Both sides did not get everything they wanted but some of the bigger points of emphasis from the teachers' perspective were salary and health insurance. President of the Blue Ridge Federation, Don Anton says neither side got everything they wanted in those areas but they felt like where they ended up was a good starting point.

Superintendent of Blue Ridge Schools, Susan Wilson, says there was a little bit of give-and-take on the health insurance and health savings account negotiations. As for the salary increases of staff, Wilson says they ended up a little higher than the Board wanted to go but feels there were indications they came to a good agreement.

Negotiations were intense and took nearly eight months to work through. Anton says while things were hard, he says things concluded positively and hopes relationships remain as strong as they were when things started.

Wilson believes because of the combination of the difficult process and the proximity of every one to each other, there will be some healing and rebuilding of relationships that will need to take place and believes that will happen.

According to Anton, the 2.75-percent increase in salary over three years is a good start but he feels there is more to be done in future agreements. He credits the board for their willingness to compromise on other issues. Overall, he feels both sides should feel good about where they ended up. 

Wilson looks forward to moving forward. The Blue Ridge Board of Education will meet Wednesday night to approve the agreement.