SMETHPORT (EC) — With one director absent, the Smethport Area School Board unanimously approved a resolution Monday agreeing to the collective bargaining agreement with the Smethport Area Education Support Professionals Association.

The SAESPA represents approximately 40 custodial and cafeteria workers as well as paraprofessionals and personal care aides. The SAESPA has already voted to accept the new four-year contract, which calls for a freeze in the basic wages in the first year, 2 percent raises in each of the second and third years and a 2.5 percent raise in the final year.

Negotiations began in January. The school board extended the terms of the previous agreement since negotiations went on after that contract expired.

“The two sides just worked out the contract, without mediation or fact-finding,” said Superintendent David London. “With this settlement, all our staff is now under some type of formal agreement.”