Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Collective Bargaining topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
KIRKWOOD R-VII board approves 2026–27 KNEA contract and certified salary schedules
Summary
The Kirkwood R-VII Board of Education approved the 2026–27 KNEA collective bargaining agreement and certified salary schedules after district leaders described a collaborative bargaining process; the board paused business to sign the documents.
The Kirkwood R-VII Board of Education voted to approve the 2026–27 collective bargaining agreement with the Kirkwood NEA unit and the corresponding certified salary schedules.
Superintendent (unnamed in the transcript) moved the item to the board, and Dr. Rich described the bargaining process as collaborative: "we were able to collaborate over several meetings," he said, thanking bargaining co-chairs and district negotiators. Dr. Rich listed highlights discussed during bargaining, including adjustments related to personal days, bereavement, beginning teacher supports, extra-duty pay, step credit and tuition assistance.
Andrews moved the motion to approve; Hepburn seconded. Board President Ben Motika then called for a voice vote and the board approved the agreement. After the vote the board paused to sign the contract copies.
The administration said the agreement resulted from multiple meetings and cross-team work between district leadership, human resources and the union. Dr. Rich publicly thanked individuals who served on the bargaining team, including co-chairs Amy Barker and Dan Langford and staff members Scott Cook and others who were named during the presentation.
The board did not record a roll-call tally in the public portion of the transcript; the approval was recorded as a voice vote and the board moved on to sign the documents.
