The Frederick County Teachers Association says its members have ratified a proposed contract for the upcoming school year.

FCTA President Gary Brennan said, "That 81 percent of the votes were in favor of the deal".

The proposed contract must still be approved by the Frederick County School Board.

"Our members made the difficult choice to accept the terms of this agreement and focus on the future. The members believe this is a step in the right direction, while recognizing there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that FCPS is able to recruit and retain the best teachers. FCTA members are clear that they want the Board of Education and the Association to use this settlement as an opportunity to engage in meaningful collaboration to address morale issues as well as concerns over budget choices made by both the Board of Education and the County Commissioners last winter and spring," Brennan said.

The new proposal includes the teachers' first increase since 2009 in wages tied to years of experience. It also would give teachers a one-time payment from any salary savings derived from teacher attrition.

If approved by the school board, the step increase for teachers under the new contract would begin October 1, 2012.