Northville school district teachers ratify new union contract
Teachers in the Northville Community Schools District have a new contract, officially ratified by membership Sept. 23.
Northville Education Association President Richard Tabor, who has worked in the district for 32 years, said the teachers were pleased with the agreement and relieved that negotiations were complete. He said the main issue of the contract was teachers’ pay and that the new agreement includes a 3 percent increase in the first year, along with step pay increases for teachers who qualify. In the second year of the contract, teachers will receive both step increases and an increase of 2 or 3 percent, tied to the district fund balance.
Teachers who lead extra-curricular activities will also receive a stipend, an issue which proved problematic in early negotiations.
Tabor said the agreement sees many improvements and that the district negotiators were helpful and focused. The agreement, Tabor said, was also a result of the community support for the teachers.
Board of Education President Lisa McIntyre was also pleasedthat negotiations were successfully concluded. She said the contract will provide stability for teachers and the district. She added that the new contract provisions will help the district recruit and retain teachers.
Both sides agreed that the uncertainty of state-level funding was a factor in the negotiations. Northville currently receives the minimum per-pupil foundation allowance from the state. McIntyre said the district is counting on state increases to sustain the wages the district hopes to offer teachers and other employee groups.
McIntyre and Tabor expressed gratitude to the community for the support and patience demonstrated during the negotiations.
