K- 12 Teacher Contract Negotiations Update

North Dakota United wants to recognize the tremendous work and dedication to their colleagues that hundreds of negotiators across the state displayed during contract negotiations across the state. Collectively, members across the state stood united for a strong voice in the classroom, fair compensation for challenging work, and benefits to support our families. We truly are Stronger United! Statewide, 2023 was generally a very good year for K-12 educators who negotiated their contracts. Many local education associations won sizeable salary increases, pension contribution increases from their school districts, and only one school district went to impasse. We also saw increases in parental leave and formalizing overloads for educators. If you have questions about your contract or the contracts of districts across the state, please check out our website, www.ndunited. org, or contact your NDU field consultant directly at 701-223-0450.

BY THE NUMBERS:

(Compiled statistics from the 50 contracts turned into ND United by Aug. 8, 2023.)

LENGTH OF CONTRACTS:

• One-year contracts – 7

• Two-year contracts – 43

TFFR STATS:

• Model 1 – 14

• Model 2 – 24

• Model 2P – 12 (Eight will be forced to change in 2025-27)

INCREASES ON BASE SALARIES:

• 2.9% – average percentage increase statewide

• $1,266 – average amount increase, statewide

• $44,336/year – average bachelor’s degree base, statewide

• $53,800/year – Mandan, highest bachelor’s degree base

• $48,594/year – average master’s degree base, statewide

• $58,101/year – Bismarck, highest master’s degree base

WINS:

• Minot gained 2% more on employer TFFR contributions.

• Only one school district went to impasse.

• Jamestown fixed salary inequities and made much-needed adjustments.

• Wahpeton added language to contract to formalize overloads for all.

• Mapleton overhauled salary schedule for sustainability.

• Mandan worked through some early tension to achieve a solid contract and salary raise.

(Collected from the 50 contracts received so far. If your local union achieved a victory in negotiations that you don’t see listed below, please send us an email at comments@ndunited.org.)