The East Aurora School District 131 Board of Education has approved a five-year agreement between the East Aurora Council IFT/AFT Local 604 and the Board.
The contract, approved at its September 20 meeting, was signed by Board president Annette Johnson and Jeff Mleczko, president of the East Aurora Council IFT/AFT Local 604, representing teachers, support staff members and office staff members. The complete contract is posted online.
“This new contract is another big win for East Aurora,” said Board president Johnson. “We have a fair, long-term deal that benefits both the District and employees by providing financial stability across our District.”
“I am thankful that we have a five-year deal in place,” said superintendent Dr. Jennifer Norrell. “I believe our students and the community will benefit from this contract as we remain focused on student achievement and do so with the most highly qualified teachers and staff. The salary and benefits structure makes our district even more competitive with surrounding districts in attracting and keeping highly qualified educators.”
The new agreement runs through June 30, 2026, and represents the longest-term contract in many years and follows a three-year deal signed in November 2018.
Among the highlights:
• Annual salary increases are provided for teachers, office, and support staff members, with additional adjustments based on job categories and years of experience. Salary terms of the new contract are retroactive to July 1, 2021, and position EASD 131 salaries for all groups very competitive to surrounding districts;
• A voluntary Sick Leave Bank, allowing participating members to donate sick days from their accumulated sick leave and draw from the sick leave bank when sick leave and personal days have been exhausted;
• A Bereavement leave benefit of up to three days for a death in the immediate family, with up to two additional days for bereavement travel; and,
• A retirement incentive plan for eligible staff members who retire no later than June 30, 2026.
Negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement began in late April of 2021.
—East Aurora School District 131