Lawrence Education Alliance approves teacher and custodian agreements; pay retroactive to July 1, 2025

The Lawrence Education Alliance voted to approve collective bargaining agreements between Lawrence Public Schools and two employee unions and announced that staff and union members will receive retroactive pay effective July 1, 2025.

Maria Moller, chair of the Lawrence Education Alliance, told the meeting the board met in executive session to negotiate terms and then returned to the public meeting to vote on the agreements. "Because of reaching these agreements and voting on the positive for both of them, staff and, you know, again, the members of both unions will be able to receive payment before the holidays, retroactive to 07/01/2025," Moller said.

Board members voted publicly after the executive session. The motion to approve the agreement between Lawrence Public Schools and the Lawrence Teachers Union passed on a roll call vote with affirmative responses from Doctor Dolores Gala, Juana Matias, Maria Mueller and Mayor Brian de Pena. The board then approved a contract with the Custodians Union by a similar roll call vote; the chair thanked those involved in negotiating both agreements.

Public comment before the executive session included a statement of support for teachers. Public commenter Mister Maley urged the board to pay competitive compensation and to back the teachers' union, saying, "We must pay the best compensation to our teachers so the other cities do not take our... our teachers." He described teachers as "nation builders" and called for community support.

The chair also said the board would table the middle school career technical education policy until the next meeting. The Alliance recorded motions to adjourn and closed the public session with holiday greetings.

Votes at a glance - Agreement between Lawrence Public Schools and the Lawrence Teachers Union — Approved (roll call: Doctor Dolores Gala: yes; Juana Matias: yes; Maria Mueller: yes; Mayor Brian de Pena: yes). - Agreement between the Custodians Union and Lawrence Public Schools — Approved (roll call: Doctor Lores Kalash: yes; Juana Matias: yes; Maria Mueller: yes; Miguel Grama de Pena: yes).

What happens next The chair indicated payroll adjustments will be processed so staff and union members receive payment before the holidays, retroactive to July 1, 2025. The middle school career technical education policy was tabled for consideration at a future meeting.