Students, teachers and parents can all be pleased with the outcome of the contract agreement between the York Region District School Board and the Ontario Secondary Teachers' Federation, District 16.

That was the message when Trustees unanimously ratified the four-year collective agreement for the public secondary school teachers in York at the Jan. 29, board meeting.

"The ratification of this agreement means that secondary teachers in York Region can continue to provide the excellent learning opportunities for students to succeed," said District 16 President Colleen Ireland.

The district membership voted overwhelmingly in favour of the four-year contract Jan. 21.

"We are pleased to reach a four-year agreement with our secondary teachers," said Board Chair Diane Giangrande.

"We applaud those who worked hard to ensure that this agreement benefits the students in the classroom."

The agreement is effective from Sept 1, 2008 until Aug. 31, 2012. Highlights include salary increases of 3 per cent annually over the fouryears of the agreement and shorter qualifying period for long-term assignments for occasional teachers. Enhanced benefits include additional staffing, with provincial funds providing for 53 more teachers by the end of the contract; and reductions in class sizes.