Peters Township School District, teachers union agree on contract
Teachers in the Peters Township School District have a new five-year contract that will carry them to 2029.
Both the Peters Township Board of School Directors and the Peters Township Federation of Teachers (PTFT) approved the agreement at meetings on Monday.
According to a press release from the school district, the new contract includes $1,700 annual raises for teachers from their second year of employment to their 16th year. Teachers who have been employed for 17 years will get raises of $2,300 annually.
The previous contract provided for annual salary increases of $1,400.
“We’re glad to get a fair and equitable agreement prior to the start of the school year,” said Caroline Abele, McMurray Elementary School Teacher and PTFT president, in the release. “We’re excited to be able to focus on doing what we love in this wonderful community.”
The contract covers 279 district staff members, including the teachers, counselors and nurses. Last school year, the average teacher’s salary at Peters Township was $89,816. The starting salary for a first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree is $52,900.
The contract also restructures how teachers will contribute to their health insurance plans. Rather than a flat rate, rates will be 10% of the premium for 2024 to 2025, and then increase 1% each year.
“We are happy that the work between the district, the teachers, and the union leadership has resulted in a fair agreement for all stakeholders,” said school board member Dan Taylor, who served as lead negotiator.
Other changes were made as well, such as allowing sick leave to be used to care for a sick child, parent or spouse, and a floating clerical day prior to the start of each school year.
The contract is effective retroactively to July 1, and expires June 30, 2029.