After an acrimonious year of finger pointing and unrealistic demands by the teachers union during tough economic times, United Teachers of Dade and the school system have agreed on a contract that's realistic and fair.

Miami-Dade School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and UTD President Karen Aronowitz deserve credit for finding creative ways to give teachers their overdue raises -- averaging less than 2 percent -- and continue benefits within the confines of a tough economic year and another one still likely to come.

The three-year contract is flexible enough to require renegotiation of teacher salaries each year, depending on the state of the local economy. That's as it should be, because previous pie-in-the-sky promises by former Superintendent Rudy Crew had to be rescinded when it became clear that falling property values and tax revenue -- coupled with dwindling state funds -- could not keep up with escalating salary and benefits for Miami-Dade's 22,000 teachers.

Other school districts, such as Broward's, which is still struggling to seal a deal with teachers, should look for similar flexibility in its contracts. Broward teachers want a 4 percent pay increase, which simply isn't feasible at a time when businesses and local governments are cutting salaries and benefits.

Mr. Carvalho also was wise to set aside $50 million saved from administrative cuts last year -- instead of using federal stimulus dollars that will run out next year -- to meet the new contract's obligations. As it stands, the Legislature has short-changed public education for a decade, and put the onus on local taxpayers to pony up ever more money.

The new contract, which also cut costs by the district moving to a self-insurance program for its employees, is a good first step. But the next battle must be in Tallahassee, where South Florida legislators need to speak with a united voice and press for the money that belongs back home.

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