The Board of School Directors approved a four year contract with the Upper Dublin Education Association effective this July 1st. The current agreement, which is an extension of a previous contract, expires on June 30th. Negotiations between the Board and the Association began in November and a tentative agreement was reached earlier this month.

The contract governs the employment of all 334 professional staff members including teachers, nurses, counselors, librarians, and other specialists. Under the terms of the contract, all professional staff members will receive annual salary increases based on years of satisfactory service. Additional increases for advanced educational attainment are also part of the new contract. Average increases include 2.83% in year one, 3.25% in year two, 3.22% in year three, and 3.33% in year four. Further, the contract calls for increases in cost-sharing for health and other benefits over the life of the agreement.

Ms. Maureen Schmidt and Mr. Doug Sample, both teachers in the District, have served as the Co-Presidents of the Association for 11 years and have negotiated several contracts. Mr. Sample and Ms. Schmidt commented that, “The UDEA leadership is very pleased to have been able to settle a new contract. The association and school board negotiation teams worked respectfully and cooperatively to achieve an agreement that benefits all.” School Board President Dr. Art Levinowitz said, “I am also very pleased that we were able to reach a new four year contract with five months left on the current contract. This was accomplished by each group working collaboratively and responding to the concerns of the other group. It is exciting to realize that for the next four and a half years we can all work together for what’s best for children. In Upper Dublin we believe that ALL students can and will be successful.”

A presentation regarding the new contract between the Board and the Association can be found on the District’s website here.