Marlington board approves three-year contract with educators association

The Marlington Local School District Board of Education on Dec. 19 approved a three-year certified contract with the Marlington Educators Association covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.

Superintendent Dan said the tentative agreement, which the association voted to ratify unanimously, provides a 2.5% increase on base salary in the first contract year, a 2.5% base increase in the second year plus a 1% one-time payment, and a 3% increase in the third year. "Other than that, there was some stipend language and some other things, but that's it," the superintendent said when summarizing the agreement.

Board members moved and seconded consideration of the contract, discussed the district's fiscal constraints and the bargaining process, and then called the roll. The board approved the contract in the recorded roll call.

Nut graf: The contract sets multi-year compensation increases while the district continues to reconcile capital needs — including a high school roof project — with expected pipeline/back-tax receipts, a treasurer's update showed earlier in the meeting.

Board discussion and votes: The superintendent said district negotiators and the association reached a “tentative agreement” that the association had ratified. Board members thanked staff for reaching the agreement; the roll call recorded the motion and the board's approval.

What it means: The deal locks in multi-year increases for certified staff beginning with the 2025–26 school year and provides modest additional one-time pay in the middle year. The administration told the board it had factored the contract into its financial planning and five-year forecast.

Next steps: The district will implement the contract beginning July 1, 2025, and proceed with budget adjustments as needed during the next fiscal cycle.