Board ratifies 2025–26 negotiated agreement with AFT Local 6049 covering support staff compensation and workplace provisions
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Summary
The board approved a negotiated agreement with the American Federation of Teachers, Tulsa Local 6049, that includes changes to workplace conduct language, substitute pay, career increments and other support‑staff provisions; the district and union discussed implementation steps and additional conversations on inclement-weather compensation.
The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education on Monday approved and ratified the 2025–26 negotiated agreement with the American Federation of Teachers, Tulsa Local 6049, covering compensation and terms for support staff.
Nancy Leonard, president of AFT 6049, spoke to the board before the vote, calling support staff “the backbone of this school system” and urging approval of the contract. Superintendent Dr. Johnson and district negotiators described a set of agreed changes and implementation steps the district will take if the board ratified the agreement.
District staff summarized the principal updates included in the contract ratified by the board: new language addressing ‘‘dignity and respect’’ in the workplace; a temporary summer emergency‑leave allowance for non‑12‑month employees (summer 2025) with possible permanent inclusion later; removal of the prior promotional formula in favor of a new internal promotion process; establishment of transfer‑approval processes; career increment payments for eligible support staff; an increase in substitute coverage pay to $25 per day for paraprofessionals and teacher assistants; and changes to dress‑code and safety‑shoe provisioning (eligible custodial, transportation, child nutrition and maintenance staff will receive one pair of safety shoes/boots annually instead of a monthly allowance).
District leaders noted additional clarifications in the agreement related to inclement‑weather essential/nonessential personnel definitions, vacation approval processes and a planned review and adjustment to the cafeteria manager pay scale to be completed by the start of the 2025–26 school year. Dr. Johnson told the board that cabinet members will continue discussions with the union about compensation for inclement‑weather days and other implementation matters.
The motion to ratify the agreement passed: Ms. Willey, Miss Carby, Mr. Crossant, Mr. Moniz, Ms. Ashley and Ms. Smith voted aye and the item passed.
District talent staff and AFT representatives said they will move to implement career increments, pay adjustments described in the agreement and planned clarifications on transfers and promotional pay.