CHESAPEAKE- The Chesapeake Board of

Education Monday night voted unanimously to approve a new two-year contract with the Chesapeake Education Association.

The new contract, retroactive to July when the old one expired, calls for a 1.5 percent pay hike each year of the contract.

Teachers with 28 years of service receive a extra increment that amounts to a nearly 2 percent wage increase the second year of the contract.

CEA spokesman Dana Edwards said the teachers union overwhelmingly approved the contract last week.

"I believe most of them are happy. I certainly am happy. I think the board went beyond what they needed to do," Edwards said. "I am thankful to the board and to Mr. Hall that they have seen fit to do this. I am happy things are settled and we can get back to the number one job we have and that is the children and their future."

That sentiment was seconded by Chesapeake school board member Dan Jeffries.

"I'm glad to get that behind us. We have a wonderful group of teachers and I'm glad we could compensate them fairly," he said.

Jeffries said negotiations continue on a new contract with the bus drivers union.