Norfolk Public Schools board approves 2026–27 negotiated agreement, raises starting teacher pay
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Summary
The board approved a negotiated agreement moving the salary matrix to a 4x4 scale and increasing the starting base salary to $44,045, a change the district says will help attract teachers; the vote was 5-0.
The Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education on a unanimous vote approved the 2026–27 negotiated agreement for non‑supervisory certificated staff, a contract change the district and union say will strengthen starting pay and coach stipends.
Eric Wilson, presenting the negotiated settlement, said one of the most substantial changes is adjusting the salary schedule from a 4.5-by-4.5 scale to a 4-by-4 scale and increasing the district base salary. "We start new staff at year 3 and they are frozen there for 3 years and that is $43,000. So we're moving from 43 to 44 for our new staff, but they will no longer be frozen," Wilson said.
District negotiators said the revised schedule raises the published base from $39,848.50 to $44,045 for the coming year; the change also affects coaching stipends that are tied to base salary. Board members on the negotiations subcommittee described the talks as lengthy but productive and said the agreement should help recruit and retain teachers.
Board members asked whether benefits changed; the administration said health insurance costs to the district increased but no additional cost sharing was passed on to staff.
The board voted to approve the agreement; the motion passed with five yes votes and zero no votes. Superintendent/finance staff said implementation steps will include updating classes and sharing details with staff before March 15 contract deadlines.
Next steps: the district will finalize salary schedules and communicate the specifics to staff prior to the March 15 return date for binding agreements.
