After nearly two years of negotiations, the Saco Valley Teacher’s Association and the School Administrative District No. 6 board of directors finally reached an agreement late last month.

Although all specifics of the contract changes were not made public, the teachers will see an increase in pay, including retroactive pay for part of 2011, when the negotiations began.

“It’s been a long ordeal,” said Neal Flynn, president of the Saco Valley Teacher’s Association. “We have been working for a year without a contract.”

Both sides said there were only mild adjustments to the contract language, but noted the negotiations focused mainly on pay.

“The salary scale has been adjusted,” confirmed Superintendent Frank Sherburne. “On average teachers will see an increase of about $1,800.”

The increase per teacher is dependent on a few variables, including length of employment. Flynn confirmed raises were the main focus for the union.

“We felt we were some of the lowest-paid teachers in York and Cumberland counties,” said Flynn. “So that’s where we concentrated our negotiations.”

School Board Chairman Larry Miller described the lengthy process as an attempt to please everyone involved.

“We had to consider the interests of all the stakeholders – taxpayers, teachers, students,” said Miller. “I know some wish we had paid more to the teachers and some wish we didn’t raise the budget. It’s really a balancing act between all the interests.”

Although negotiators for the teachers association didn’t agree with everything in the new contract, they sent it to the 240 members to decide.

“The negotiators had some concerns,” said Flynn. “I go with what the members want and they voted overwhelmingly (3 to 1) to approve it.”