Melrose teachers vote to ratify new contract

Cameron Wickles; 8; a second grader in the Melrose schools holding a sign as teachers and parents celebrate after Melrose teachers and the Melrose School Committee reached a tentative three-year contract agreement Saturday night during a rally at Memorial Knoll Park. Photo by Matthew J. Lee/Globe StaffMatthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Melrose public school teachers on Monday overwhelmingly approved a new three-year contract, with 97 percent of members voting in favor, Melrose Education Association president Lisa Donovan said.

Margaret Driscoll, chairwoman of the Melrose school committee, said in a statement that the board was “very pleased” and would vote on the contract Thursday.

The two sides reached an agreement Saturday, a day after a supermajority of union workers authorized a strike if both groups did not find common ground by Tuesday.

The new contract includes more compensation and guarantees additional preparation and planning time for teachers, according to a joint statement released Saturday night.

“Our membership is thrilled for this year-long contract to be over and ecstatic to be back in the classroom tomorrow morning,” Donovan said.