FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — The Frederick County Teachers Association says its members have rejected the school board’s contract offer by a more than 2-to-1 margin.

The union announced the results of the ratification vote Monday.

The proposal included a step increase averaging 3.5 percent effective Dec. 1. Union leaders say the delayed implementation, plus other proposed changes, would have resulted in an annual increase in take-home pay of less than 1 percent.

It would have been the teachers’ first step increase since 2009.

Association President Gary Brennan says the association will seek to resume contract talks as soon as possible.

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