The Ann Arbor Education Association and Ann Arbor Public Schools, with the support of Superintendent Jeanice K. Swift and the Ann Arbor Board of Education, have come to an agreement on a new two-year teacher contract. The new collective bargaining agreement provides financial enhancements for district teachers while also ensuring fiscal protections for the District.
The 2017-2019 multiyear agreement offers salary increases and additional contributions to healthcare in year one. In the second year, teachers will receive additional compensation and additional contributions to healthcare premiums, provided the District maintains an audited fund balance of 9.5% at the completion of the 2017-18 school year.
This agreement, ratified by both parties this week, represents a significant step forward as it is the first multiyear deal agreed upon by the parties since 2011.
“This tentative agreement is one that we are proud to present to our membership. We believe it addresses concerns our members have had around compensation, increasing health care premium costs, and as a multi-year agreement, it provides stability that has been missing in our recent string of one year agreements. Both parties worked hard to reach a reasonable agreement,” said Fred Klein, AAEA Vice President.
“We appreciate the focused effort of the negotiating teams who have worked diligently to clarify and prioritize critical teacher compensation needs while also balancing the long-term fiscal sustainability of the AAPS organization. We are thankful for the efforts that resulted in this two-year agreement and we are excited to move forward together into the 2017-18 school year, continuing to serve our students and the Ann Arbor community with the consistent, top-quality educational experience for which the Ann Arbor Public Schools has long been known,” shared Superintendent Jeanice K. Swift.
Board President Christine Stead shares, “We are proud to be able to continue to invest in our teachers. We will keep moving forward, as one team, to achieve an exceptional educational environment. Much appreciation, on behalf of the Board of Education and our entire community, for working so hard on a multiyear agreement that we can all be proud of.”
Congratulations to all parties concerned. A two-year agreement will offer much-needed stability and will reward our teachers and other staff, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Well done, Dr. Swift!