9-18-2025 11:55pm

Saline Area School’s Teachers Reach New Collective Bargaining Agreement

Libby Williams Contributor

Saline Area Schools (SAS) reached a temporary collective bargaining agreement with the Saline Education Association (SEA) in August 2025, which includes salary increases of 5% for the 2025-26 school year and 4% for the 2026-27 school year.

This new contract also addresses staff needs such as agreements on sick and personal days, certified staff protections, and elementary class sizes. This foundation aims to support the staff, allowing them to focus on student needs amidst evolving educational expectations.

The previous contract expired on December 31, 2024, leaving the school staff without contract for almost a year. The agreement was negotiated in 2021 and provided a modest pay increase due to the financial uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. That contract also had a 0% pay increase for most staff over the subsequent two years.

During the span of the previous three-year contract, the per-pupil funding increased over 10% and the district fund balance rose to 24%. In this same timespan, the Unfunded Accrued Actuarial Liability (UAAL) was permanently reduced by 5.75%. A reduction signifies that the pension plan's financial health has improved, with the gap between the promised benefits and the assets available to pay for them having shrunk. This led to a permanent decrease in the employer's required contributions towards the UAAL, thus lessening the district’s expenses and freeing up funds.

The SEA, which represents certified staff, expressed concerns about fair compensation and the need for a competitive contract to attract and retain high-quality educators. The first offer by the SEA included no increases in salary, with no recognition of the UAAL reduction, and no considerations regarding rising inflation and health care costs for the staff.

“The previous contract negotiated in the fall of 2021 was shaped by the uncertainty surrounding COVID, the economy, and public education funding. Given the climate at the time, any pay increases were modest, with zero percent on the scale for most of the staff for the past two years. The district worked with us during the difficult years that followed the crash of the housing market, so we were willing to work with them and prioritize the financial stability of the district.” stated Saline Teachers Union president Bridget Corie.

In March 2025, the SEA requested mediation from the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, which has not happened in several decades.

Despite disagreements, the negotiations were marked by a history of collaboration between the district and the SEA, with both parties willing to work together to achieve a mutually beneficial agreement.

The contract is considered a "new contract" and not a temporary agreement, as it establishes terms for future years.