Caledonia public and board debate teacher contract as district offers multi-year pay package

The Caledonia Community Schools Board of Education on Monday outlined a multi-year proposal to settle a contract with the Caledonia Education Association after the agreement expired July 31, 2025, while scores of parents, retired and current teachers urged the board to reach a faster, higher-pay settlement.

Board President Tim (last name not specified) read a statement saying the contract expired on July 31, 2025, and that board and association representatives had held 10 negotiation sessions in April, May, June, July and August. The statement summarized a district proposal that would: keep step advancement on the existing salary schedule (described by the board as a 1%–5% step increase depending on placement); add a 4.5% increase to the salary schedule for the 2025–26 school year; increase starting pay for first-year teachers; and raise pay for hard-to-fill ancillary positions (social workers, speech pathologists, school psychologists) by about 7%–13.6% over the next three years to retain staffing.

"The board is committed to reaching a mutually agreed upon contract with the CEA," the statement said, while cautioning the district could not publish a full 2025–26 school calendar until calendar items — a mandatory subject of bargaining under Michigan law — were agreed through negotiations. The board also announced a tentative agreement with the district's transportation employees reached the prior Friday that still requires ratification by both parties.

The board's proposal and the stalled negotiations drew repeated public comment. Jen Eck, a member of the public, told the board: "I am a huge advocate for our teachers and our school system." James Ernest, who identified himself as a resident, urged leaders to "please get it done" and said the late date without a contract made him "skeptical of any assertion that the administration has been negotiating in good faith." Several speakers echoed those concerns: Kim Gates, a retired Caledonia teacher of 31 years, said she saw "heads shaking" among negotiators during the meeting and called the disconnect "embarrassing for our district." Susan Riak, a local CPA and parent, said "teachers are our greatest asset" and asked the board not to move more than "$1,000,000 out of the general fund until the teacher contract is finalized." Josh Rose, who said he is a teacher of 28 years, said inflation has eroded teacher pay and urged the board to restore competitiveness: "Every year, we get poorer compared to past generations of teachers, and it's wrong." Emily Murphy, a parent of three students, said teachers are "priceless" and asked the board to "get them paid and get them ready to rock with our kids."

Board members repeatedly told speakers the board values teachers and that negotiators remain at the table. The district statement said the board is "thankful for the excellent service our teachers provide" while also noting the need to control benefit costs such as board contributions to health insurance.

What happens next: the board emphasized negotiations are ongoing. The district will continue to publish partial calendar information "as it becomes available," and the transportation tentative agreement must be ratified by both parties before taking effect. No final teacher contract was adopted at the Aug. 18 meeting.

Ending: Board members did not set a public vote date for a final agreement on teacher wages at the meeting; negotiators will continue to meet and the public will likely hear updates at upcoming committee and regular meetings.