Bargaining Update #5
MEA and the District Move Closer
MEA bargaining for 2026–2027 stretched late into the night Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, as the
district and union worked through referendum language, compensation proposals for
teachers and paraprofessionals, and proposed health insurance changes.
The district opened the night by saying it was preparing a “complete package,” starting with
the referendum supplement for 2026–2027. After discussing all the costs included in the
referendum, it was agreed that the supplements would remain $9,537 for teachers and $3,598
for paraprofessionals for 2026–2027.
Health insurance then became a central focus as the district presented recommended
changes described as coming from the Health Insurance Committee (HIC), alongside
recommended plan design changes. It was noted education would be needed before plan
selections in October. The district said any changes would not take effect until January.
Questions from MEA centered on disruption, including how many people might shift between
plans and what plan design changes could mean for employees’ out-of-pocket costs. The
district said those who reach their out-of-pocket maximum would be affected the most,
describing that group as 5% of those enrolled in each tier. It said individual scenarios were
not evaluated, while noting they reviewed the total number reaching out-of-pocket maximums.
The district said the proposed plan design changes were intended to keep a 10% rate increase
instead of 11% and cited a total impact of $600,000. The discussion also touched on specific
benefit changes, including urgent care copays in the Gold plan changing from $20 to $45 — a
move the district said aligned with other plans already at that level — and included questions
about inpatient versus ambulatory services and mental health services.
The district also distributed an offer it described as inclusive of increases for teachers and
paraprofessionals. The district said it wanted to ensure everyone received at least a 2.5%
increase, and said those qualifying for the TSIA funds would receive a minimum of 2.5% while
teachers not meeting the definition to qualify for the TSIA money would receive a 2.5% salary
increase. The district also said it agreed to continue the retention supplement, and that
paraprofessionals would receive a 2.5% average increase that included step and $0.30 per
hour.
When the parties reconvened after a caucus, the union raised equity concerns related to
retention and asked that paraprofessionals receive retention as well, noting that AFSCME
employees currently have retention “at 10 and 20 years”. The union also presented two
proposals: a health insurance proposal calling for a 4% premium increase with no plan
changes. The union said monthly premium increases under its proposal would range from $2
to $47 monthly depending on tier and plan and warned that health plan costs under the
district’s proposal could offset paraprofessionals’ pay increases and reduce take-home pay
due to premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
As the meeting moved toward adjournment, the district summarized areas it said appeared to
be in agreement, including TSIA, the referendum, teacher retention, and one step
advancement for paraprofessionals, while noting disagreement remained on the amount of
the hourly raise. The district also said it wanted to tentatively agree to referendum MOU
time frame tied to a deadline for the first full paycheck on Aug. 21.
The night ended with the parties signing off on the referendum MOU and agreeing to set
future bargaining dates.