The Mukilteo School District Collective Bargaining Agreement: What You Need to Know
The Mukilteo School District in Washington state recently reached a collective bargaining agreement with its teachers union, the Mukilteo Education Association. The agreement, which covers the next three years, includes a number of important provisions that will impact both teachers and students in the district. Here`s a closer look at some of the key details:
Salary Increases
Under the new agreement, teachers will receive a salary increase of 3.1% in the first year, followed by increases of 2.9% and 2.8% in the second and third years, respectively. This is a significant increase over the previous agreement, which provided for increases of 2.4%, 2.8%, and 2.8%. The increase is intended to help the district attract and retain high-quality teachers, who are essential to providing a quality education to students.
Healthcare Benefits
The agreement also includes changes to healthcare benefits for teachers. Starting in the second year of the agreement, the district will switch to a new healthcare plan that is expected to be more cost-effective for both the district and its employees. The plan will have lower premiums and deductibles, and will include incentives for employees who participate in wellness programs. These changes are intended to help the district control healthcare costs, which have been a major concern in recent years.
Class Size
Class size is a key issue in any collective bargaining agreement, and the Mukilteo agreement is no exception. The new agreement includes a provision that limits class sizes in certain grades and subject areas. For example, elementary school classes in grades K-3 are limited to 22 students, while classes in grades 4-6 are limited to 28 students. The agreement also includes limits on class sizes in high school English and math classes. These limits are intended to ensure that teachers are able to provide individual attention to students and that students are able to receive a high-quality education.
Professional Development
Finally, the agreement includes provisions for professional development for teachers. The district will provide funding for workshops, conferences, and other training opportunities to help teachers stay up-to-date with the latest teaching methods and techniques. This is an important investment in the district`s teachers, who are essential to providing a high-quality education to students.
Overall, the Mukilteo School District`s new collective bargaining agreement is an important step forward for teachers and students in the district. The agreement provides for salary increases, better healthcare benefits, smaller class sizes, and professional development opportunities—all of which are essential for providing a quality education. As the district moves forward, it will be important to continue to work collaboratively with teachers and other stakeholders to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.
