Teachers Contracts Close To a Done Deal
MDI High School still without power and other school news
BAR HARBOR AND MDI—The teachers throughout the island have a tentative new contract. There are just a few more steps to bring the process to completion.
On Wednesday December 13, negotiators for the AOS 91 School Board and the Mount Desert Island Education Association (MDIEA) reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract.
The agreement begins August 1, 2024 and extends to July 31, 2027.
The AOS 91 Board ratified it on December 19. Next, the MDI Education Association will vote on ratification on January 4.
According to a press release, “During a time when national news stories run every week lamenting the shortage of teachers, AOS 91 school board and administration are pleased to have reached a contract agreement that will enable AOS 91 to attract and retain excellent teachers.”
HOW THE CONTRACT IS MEANT TO DO THAT
According to the release,
“The new contract provides teachers with substantial raises over each of the next three years. By the third year of the contract, new teachers starting out with a bachelor’s degree will receive $50,000 annually.
“As well, most teachers with masters’ degrees and those with many years of experience will receive raises of 4-7 thousand dollars annually.”
It isn’t just pay that was part of the contract. How teachers spend their time was also part of the contract.
“Teachers gained increases in planning time in order to prepare and grade lessons and work with colleagues to provide the best possible education to the community’s children. Most aspects of health insurance coverage remained the same except for increases in deductible contribution to the HRA by AOS 91. Teachers are the heart and soul of an excellent school system,” said Jessica Stewart, AOS 91 School Board Chair. “They are professionals who ensure that our children have the tools and knowledge to become successful and contributing members of society. It is crucial that we compensate teachers across the career span in a manner that ensures we attract and retain excellent educators for the duration of their career."
According to the release, “The negotiating process was conducted using a problem solving process intended to foreground common interests and support long term positive relationships.”
President of the MDIEA Renee Laber said, “In the midst of the perfect storm of a worsening teacher shortage combined with the lack of affordable housing on Mount Desert Island, this contract sends a clear and strong message that the AOS 91 school boards and communities value and respect our educators. I am grateful and appreciative that this round of negotiations was approached by both parties with a commitment to collaboration, professional respect and joint problem solving. It is my hope that we can keep this momentum going and continue to work together to focus our collective energies on the needs of our students, ensuring that they receive the education they deserve.”
The negotiations took five months.
“Teachers and board members approached this negotiation with a shared commitment to working together and centering the best interests of students,” said superintendent Mike Zboray.
OTHER SCHOOL NEWS
A lack of power after the Monday storm has kept the Mount Desert Island High School closed this week. Over 134,000 Mainers were still without power this morning, thanks to the storm that also caused deaths and property devastation throughout the state.
As of Thursday morning, approximately 514 Bar Harbor customers had no power.
Check here for our earlier story about some Hancock County Tech Center and MDI High School students giving back to their community. The Ellsworth American also released a story about the trio today.
Today is pajama day at Conners-Emerson (December 21) and school break is from December 22-January 1. The school held its winter concert last week.
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