Salem Teachers Reach Tentative Deal On New 3-Year Contract

SALEM, MA — Salem teachers reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract Thursday night on the eve of a new school year and just two days before the previous collective-bargaining agreement was set to expire.

The School Committee said the agreement includes wage increases, paid parental leave, more preparation time, and a standard school day across the district.

The School Committee said on Friday morning that the deal calls for a 4.25 percent pay increase in the first year and a 19 percent increase of three years for most teachers, as well as improved paraprofessional pay that is "regionally competitive."

The STU said in a statement on Friday morning that most paraprofessionals will see wage increases of close to 50 percent over the three years.

There are also provisions for six weeks of paid parental leave, a universal school day length and start date across the district, and "a commitment to designing student-led parent-teacher conferences."

"The district has made a significant investment in teacher pay because we believe it is the right thing to do for students and teachers," the district said in a statement. "But this investment will necessitate some significant cuts and hard decisions over the next few years.

"As we engage in work ahead, the School Committee is committed to transparent and consistent community engagement. Contract negotiations have come to a close but the real work begins today."

The contract will next be sent to the rank-and-file members for ratification, according to the STU.

"The breakthrough achievements in these contracts will create more stability within our schools, creating the working and learning conditions for both educators and students to be as successful as possible," said Ann Berman, President of the Salem Teachers Union and a teacher at Bates Elementary School. "We would not have gotten to this point had it not been for the incredible organizing and advocacy of STU members, parents, and community members over the past year. This is an accomplishment that can be shared by our entire city.”

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)