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Teachers' union ratifies 3‑year contract; board approves with one abstention
Summary
The Decatur Education Association ratified a three‑year contract and the board approved it (six ayes, one abstain). The contract includes multi‑year average salary increases (about 4.78% year one), expanded tuition reimbursement, a new emergency leave provision and adjustments to special‑education workload and substitution rules.
District negotiators and Decatur Education Association (DEA) representatives presented a three‑year collective bargaining agreement covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. Michelle Klein, chair of the DEA bargaining team, summarized key provisions and said the DEA membership ratified the agreement on May 20.
"This is a 3‑year contract. Year 1 with an average increase of 4.78%, year 2 4.49% and year 3 is 4.36% average increase," Klein told the board. The presentation and memo from Director of Human Resources Monica Wilks highlighted a number of negotiated changes:
- Salary schedule increases averaged roughly 4.78% in year one, then 4.49% and 4.36% in subsequent years. - The tuition reimbursement pool doubled from $40,000 to $80,000; master tuition reimbursement was adjusted to $400 per credit up to six credits. - A new emergency leave provision allows up to 15 days of paid leave for extreme emergency situations, subject to superintendent or designee approval. - Speech‑language pathologist weighted caseload cap was adjusted from 60 to 55 (weighted), and stipends and workload language for specialized positions were updated. - Internal substitution, schedule‑B evaluation language and voluntary transfer dates were clarified; internal substitution limits at secondary level were defined with exceptions and primary grade‑banding (K–3/3–5) outlined.
After presentations and questions, the board voted to approve the collective bargaining agreement. The roll call showed six ayes, zero nays and one abstention (Dr. Lorenzen). Board members said negotiations were well prepared on both sides and thanked staff and union representatives for their work.
Next steps: the agreement takes effect July 1, 2026 and district administration will implement changes to schedules, stipend language and the tuition reimbursement process as negotiated.
