The Board of Education and the Madison Association of Educational Supportive Services (MAESS) have reached an agreement that provides for a one-year extension of the current 2009-2010 school year contract. In a news story published June 17, The Source incorrectly quoted wage schedules for the bargaining unit members.

In the contract extension signed last month, there are no across-the-board wage increases, nor are there any incremental or step advances. There are no changes in the health benefits or employee contributions to premiums. There are no changes in longevity.

Maryanne Harmuth, president of the MAESS bargaining unit, said, "This was a very amicable agreement with the Board of Education. They respect us and we respect them; both sides were aware of the economic climate in which we were bargaining. This one-year extension recognizes that. These are difficult times for everybody. Knowing that, we agreed to a one-year extension of our current contract. There are no increases."

The bargaining unit includes 183 members. It represents school secretaries, paraprofessionals, and school nurses.

"We are school employees and most of us live in town. We are taxpayers, too, and want to do what we believe is good for Madison," Harmuth said.

This agreement represents an estimated savings of $80,000.