Board approves MRTA settlement with 1.07% raise and $1,000 health contribution for 2024–25

The Merced River School District board on Jan. 9 approved a bargaining settlement with the Merced River Teachers Association (MRTA) that provides a 1.07% salary increase for 2024–25 retroactive to July 1, 2024, and an additional $1,000 district contribution toward employee health benefits.

The agreement also includes PARS language that, as recorded, allows certificated members with at least 15 years of service and minimum age 58 to remain eligible for district-paid health benefits until they qualify for Medicare. The settlement requires certificated staff to attend two additional student events that are not PTC-sponsored and adds two non-instructional days to the school calendar: one designated as a district professional development day and the other as a teacher planning day. For 2025–26 and 2026–27 the parties agreed to COLA-only adjustments with language reopeners.

Board members moved and seconded the motions to approve the settlement; the minutes record that "The motion was carried unanimously." The board recorded the motion and second on the transcript and moved additional classified and superintendent negotiations into closed session for further discussion.

The board did not provide budgetary line-item details in the public minutes for the district cost of the 1.07% increase or the $1,000 benefit contribution. The settlement was presented to the board with policy documents from legal counsel (AALLR) and was adopted during the action-items portion of the meeting.