North Hills School Board approves 5-year contract with teachers

North Hills School Board approved a five-year contract with the district’s teachers’ union Feb. 22.

The same day, North Hills Education Association, which represents 380 teachers, ratified the pact.

“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,” Allison Mathis, school board president, said.

The new contract 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% annually.

“A lot of factors went into this collective bargaining agreement,” Superintendent Patrick Mannarino said. “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.

“As a whole, it is a great contract for our teaching faculty today and in the future,” he added.

Mannarino thanked negotiators for the district and union, who have been meeting since July.

Vicki Truchan, union president, said she is happy that negotiators were able to agree on a contract.

“The 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,” she said. “NHEA and the district have ensured a strong future for present and future teachers, as well as for our students and the district, itself.”

Mathis expressed further gratitude to negotiators, along with the district’s educators.

“Teachers are the backbone of this district,” she said. “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.”

The previous five-year contract was scheduled to expire Aug. 23. The new contract is effective through Aug. 23, 2029.