Negotiators for the Ironton Board of Education and the Ironton Education Association worked out a tentative agreement on a new one-year contract last night.

The old contract expired July 31 of this year.

The terms of the agreement won't be released until the full association votes on it Thursday afternoon.

IEA President Mary Ann Philabaun said she thinks the agreement will get the teachers' approval.

"I'm optimistic, "Philabaun said. "It's not exactly what we wanted but it's better than the alternative, which is no contract."

Her sentiment was echoed by board members Kathy McGinnis and Gary Neal.

"I'm just glad it's all over," Neal said.

"I'm glad we came to an agreement that is equitable to both sides," McGinnis said. "Now we can move forward with the business of educating the children."

The two sides have been working on a new contract since June. Philabaun noted that this time, neither the board nor the teachers chose to hire outside negotiators. Instead representatives from the board and the union dealt directly with each other. Teresa Moore/The Ironton Tribune