The North Hills School District Board of Education on February 22, 2024, approved a five-year contract with the North Hills Education Association (NHEA), the union that represents the district's 380 teachers. Union members also ratified the contract on February 22.
“This agreement is reflective of our fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers while also ensuring that North Hills School District remains a desirable place to work with competitive benefits and compensation, particularly at a time when there are fewer people going into teaching each year,” NHSD Board of Education President Allison Mathis said in announcing the contract approval at the board’s February legislative meeting.
The new contract is competitive with neighboring school districts. It includes a higher starting rate for teachers with fewer steps to reach the top of the district’s salary schedule. On average, teachers' salaries increase by 3.9 percent annually with a lower percentage increase at the top of the salary schedule.
“A lot of factors went into this collective bargaining agreement. Some groups will be more pleased than others. Not everyone is going to be happy. There are things I would have liked to have seen differently, but that is what collective bargaining is, and when you are dealing with a contract that impacts such a large group, it becomes extremely difficult to take care of all of the needs and wants of every individual employee. It becomes extremely difficult to make everyone happy,” said NHSD Superintendent Dr. Patrick J. Mannarino. “I thank everyone involved in the negotiations for their unwavering commitment and dedication to our district and to our students because at the core of this, that is what drives us.”
He concluded, “As a whole, it is a great contract for our teaching faculty today and in the future.”
NHEA President Vicki Truchan said, “I am pleased that we have ratified a fair agreement that addresses the top priorities of our members. This agreement raises the starting salary for new teachers, eliminates steps on our salary schedule, maintains good working conditions, and gives fair raises to all while still being aware of the district’s finances. NHEA and the district have ensured a strong future for present and future teachers as well as for our students and the district itself.”
“I’d like to thank members of the negotiating team for the hard work, time commitment, and dedication,” Mrs. Mathis continued, in part, adding, “This was a respectful experience from both sides of the table. Teachers are the backbone of this district and I appreciate all the hard work our teachers do to make sure our schools are the best that they can be and that every student has the best possible educational experience. This agreement sets a strong foundation for our future as a district.”
Negotiators for the school district and the union have been meeting since July of 2023.
The previous five-year contract was slated to expire in six months on August 23. The new contract is effective August 24, 2024, through August 23, 2029.