Kirkwood board approves 2025–26 KNEA contract, raises certified and support staff pay and moves to closed session on personnel

At its March meeting, the Kirkwood R-VII School District Board of Education approved the 2025–26 collective bargaining agreement with the KNEA, adopted separate salary-package increases for certified and support staff and voted to enter a closed session on personnel matters under Missouri statute.

The board approved the 2025–26 KNEA collective bargaining agreement as presented. The board recorded the motion, a second and a vote; the motion passed with four affirmative votes and two abstentions. District staff said the new contract includes a paid parental leave provision that district leaders and the union negotiated as a priority for the year and that the provision is intended to help recruitment and retention. Presenters and board members described the agreement as the result of collaborative bargaining between district leadership, union representatives and school leaders.

School district leadership recommended a one‑year salary package for certified staff that includes a combined operating-fund increase of 2.85 percent. The recommendation noted additional package increases paid from other funds that ranged from -0.13 percent to 4.64 percent. The board approved the certified-staff package; the motion passed with five affirmative votes and one abstention.

The board also approved a one‑year salary package for support staff with a combined operating-fund increase of 4.18 percent. The presenters said package increases paid from other funds range from 3.95 percent to 4.89 percent. That motion passed with five affirmative votes and one abstention.

Dr. Ulrich, speaking toward the meeting’s end, said the bargaining and budgeting process had been productive, and that keeping the focus on students and process was important in reaching agreement. District presenters noted they had already received inquiries about openings after announcing the paid parental leave provision; presenters described the parental-leave language as negotiated and newly added in this agreement.

After completing the votes on the labor items, the board voted to enter a closed session for personnel pursuant to RSMo 610.021.3. The board recorded a motion, a second and recorded votes in support to move into closed session.

The actions taken finalize compensation changes and a new collective-bargaining agreement for 2025–26; the district will proceed to implement the salary changes and the newly negotiated contract terms and to address personnel matters in closed session as authorized by state law.