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Richfield board approves three-year contract with Education Richfield
Summary
The Richfield School Board on Oct. 27 approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with Education Richfield covering 2025'2027. The agreement raises base pay cells, provides across-the-board increases in the second year, and increases the district contribution to family health insurance.
The Richfield School Board voted Oct. 27 to approve a three-year collective bargaining agreement with Education Richfield covering 2025 through 2027.
The board approved the tentative agreement after a presentation by Michelle Axel, director of human resources. The contract adds targeted cell adjustments to teachers'base pay in 2025'6, with increases ranging from $500 to $2,250 in affected cells, and an across-the-board 2.5% pay increase in the second year (2026'27). Co-curricular schedules will receive a 2% increase in year one and 2.5% in year two, according to Axel.
The agreement also raises the district contribution toward family health insurance by $200 per month in the first year (bringing the monthly district contribution to $1,600) and by an additional $100 per month in year two (to $1,700). The plan increases employee VEBA contributions in year two by $250 annually for single and family plans. Axel said those changes reflect both negotiated priorities and broader trends in health-care costs.
Nut graf: The contract affects the district's largest bargaining unit and carries budgetary implications for salary schedules and benefits. Board members and staff framed the agreement as the result of a focused negotiation process and noted district-wide pressures on health-care costs.
Board members thanked the negotiating teams from both the district and Education Richfield for reaching agreement quickly. The motion to approve the contract was made by Director Paulson and seconded by Director Cole; the board voted in favor (recorded as unanimous). The approved agreement and its detailed salary and benefits tables appear in the board packet.
Board and staff comments in the meeting emphasized that health insurance costs are rising nationally and will affect the district's ongoing budget decisions. Axel said the district has historically experienced modest premium growth as a self-insured employer but that recent years show larger increases.
The board recorded the action as an approved master agreement for the teachers' unit for 2025'2027. The full contract language and its appendices were included in the meeting packet.
