Middleton District approves 2025–26 negotiated agreement with MEA, limits salary-grid change to this year

The Middleton District approved a negotiated agreement with the MEA for the 2025–26 school year that removes a previous 3‑to‑4‑year provision and clarifies how credits, degrees and Advanced Professional Educator (APE) status earned before Sept. 15 will be counted for this year.

District staff summarized the changes before the vote, saying the district removed the earlier discussion allowing employees three to four years to use credits toward a master’s and that the language now specifies acceptance of credits and degrees and APE status earned before Sept. 15. Staff said if those credentials would change an employee’s overall salary under the old salary grid, the district will reissue a contract at the higher amount for this year only.

A board member moved to approve the negotiated agreement with the MEA and a second was recorded. The board chair called for a voice vote; multiple board members said “aye,” and the motion passed. The transcript records the motion as: "I move that we approve the new, negotiated agree agreement with the MEA. For 2025 For 2025 school year." The record shows the board corrected the school-year notation to "2025–2026" before the roll call by voice.

Discussion before the motion focused narrowly on the contract-language changes. Staff confirmed the credit- and degree‑recognition language applies only to this year and that the salary reissue would be limited to employees who provided documentation that would have moved them on the prior (old) salary grid. No additional changes, funding allocations or timelines for future years were specified in the meeting transcript.

The board adjourned after approving the agreement.