Piper board approves teachers' agreement, revised 2026-27 calendar and classified pay adjustments

The Piper USD 203 board unanimously approved the negotiated agreement between the Piper Teachers Association and the district and ratified related personnel and calendar changes during its July 13 meeting.

Board members voted to accept the negotiating agreement presented by district staff; the motion passed 6-0. As part of the settlement, the board approved a revised 2026-27 academic calendar that sets the school year at 182 days.

Administration also presented updates to the 2026-27 classified handbook tied to the negotiations. To offset schedule changes that would have reduced pay for hourly classified employees, the district proposed adding two paid holidays (Labor Day and Presidents Day) for affected classified staff and recommended a 1.17% increase for classified employees not on the salary schedule. The board approved those changes by motion.

Separately, the board approved coordinator and administrative salaries "as discussed in executive session," with motions recorded after closed sessions and votes taken in open meeting.

Why it matters: The negotiated agreement and calendar set the district's instructional schedule and compensation framework for staff in the coming school year. The classified adjustments were presented specifically to avoid negative financial impacts on hourly employees following calendar and contract changes.

What happens next: Administration will communicate calendar and benefits updates to employees and will implement the compensated holidays and salary changes for the 2026-27 fiscal year.