ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP— The Rock Hill Board of Education Thursday night approved a new contract with the Rock Hill Education Association.

The three-year contact is effective retroactively to July 1 and gives educators

a three percent raise the first year of the pact and three-and-a-half and four percent raises during the last two years. Teachers also received an attendance bonus, additions to the severance pay and retirement packages and an increase in the number of sick days that can be accumulated.

“I think teachers are happy,” said band director Scott Jones, who was on the negotiating committee.

The two sides began negotiations June 28.

The board also gave its permission for the band and show choir to visit Disney World in May 2008. Jones said the music groups will perform in a parade at the Magic Kingdom during the four-day, three night trip.