Contract includes 19.2% increase over three years
Protestors at the Cheney School Board meeting at the Cheney High School Library on Aug. 21, shortly before they came to an agreement on Friday, Aug. 23 which was then ratified on Aug. 26.
CHENEY-The Cheney Education Association and the Cheney School District have finalized a new three-year contract, which was approved unanimously by the school board on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The contract includes a 19.2% total salary increase over the next three years for district teachers.
The agreement comes after a mediator from the Public Employment Relations Commission joined the negotiation process on Aug. 22. After exchanging proposals with the district, both parties reached a tentative agreement late on Aug. 23. Teachers ratified the contract on Aug. 26.
"We're really happy we were able to come up with this contract," said Superintendent Ben Ferney.
The agreement provides a salary increase of 8.2% in the 2024-2025 school year, which includes a 4.5% base increase plus inflationary adjustments. For the 2025-2026 year, educators will receive a 4% raise, with additional increases tied to inflation, up to a 7% cap. In the third year, the raise will be 2%, along with further adjustments to retain and attract teachers.
Jamie Reed, Finance Director, shared that despite the salary increases, the district remains "almost net-zero" compared to last year's budget.
The full contract will be posted on the district's website once it is signed.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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