T-L File Photo/CARRI GRAHAM MEMBERS OF the community hold up signs in support of the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District’s teachers during a rally held earlier this month outside the Monroe County Courthouse in Woodsfield. The teachers’ union was negotiating a new contract with the board of education.

WOODSFIELD — The Switzerland of Ohio Local School District Board of Education unanimously approved the district teachers’ new contract Wednesday evening during an emergency meeting.

Board members Sarah Smith, Greg Schumacher, Jerry Gust, Beverly Anderson and Ron Winkler all voted in favor of ratifying the new contract during a short meeting held via video conference. The meeting was strictly held to vote on the negotiation agreement between the board and the Switzerland of Ohio Education Association.

Following the meeting Board President Sarah Smith said they are happy to have the contract finalized.

“We’re glad everybody hung in there and worked through to the end. We were diligent, and I believe they (SOEA) were too,” she said.

The SOEA and the board of education have been working toward gaining a fair contract since August when the previous contract expired. On Dec. 15 an agreement was reached after months of negotiations between the organization’s bargaining teams. However, it could not be finalized until union members and board members voted in favor of the new contract. The SOEA voted to ratify the tentative contract Dec. 22.

The new contract includes some previous contract items including insurance, sick leave and personal time.

A few new items added to the contract include a 16-percent base salary increase over a three-year contract period and tuition reimbursement.

Now that both parties have voted in favor of the agreement, the new contract will go into effect immediately.

The board will next meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 14 for its regularly scheduled meeting.