Fox Chapel Area School District officials have approved a five-year contract extension with the Fox Chapel Educators Association, which sets the average teacher salary in the first year at $104,951.
The current five-year agreement was set to expire next July.
“We’ve been successful in getting to this point earlier than we had to, but as a signal of our strong relationships within the district we’ve been able to reach an agreement,” said school Director Eric Hamilton before the vote.
“(We go to) a place where I think is really mutually beneficial and represents the best interests of the school district as a whole — the teachers, the students — and keeps us moving forward in a responsible direction financially,” he said.
The new deal runs from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2028, and includes wage hikes each year.
Salaries will increase on average by 0.4%; 0.6%; 0.7%; 0.7%; and 0.8%, each year of the five-year agreement. The average teacher salary in the fifth year of the contract extension is projected to be $105,573 once anticipated retirements are factored it, according to school district spokeswoman Bonnie Berzonski.
Wages associated with supplemental contracts, such as coaching and other positions, will increase by 2% each year of the agreement, according to district documents.
Employees will pay 12% of the cost of medical premiums, up to a monthly maximum each year of the agreement. The monthly maximum will increase each year of the contract.
There are 353 teachers in the collective bargaining unit.
Rachel Machen, high school counselor and union president, said she believes both sides approved a fair contract.
“FCEA’s negotiations with the school district took place over six months and resulted in an agreement that is fair, forward thinking and a win for both the dedicated educators in the district and for the community, residents and taxpayers,” she said via email.
The school board voted 7-0-1 on Oct. 10 to approve the agreement. Board member Ronald Frank abstained because a family member is part of the bargaining unit. Board member Kimberly Andrews was absent.
Frank referred comments to Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac. Other board members did not reply to emails seeking comment.
Reljac said the agreement provides stability for the district.
“The members of the school board and the district’s administrators are proud of the relationship that we have built with the members of the Fox Chapel Educators Association,” Reljac said. “Both sides worked diligently to develop a contract that is fiscally responsible and is respectful to current and future professional employees.”
