The Alameda Unified School District’s biggest announcement for this week’s column is that the bargaining teams for the district and the Alameda Education Association labor union have reached tentative agreements on the contract articles that had been opened.

During their Feb. 11 mediation session, the two teams tentatively agreed to at least a 10% increase over the next three years. Those raises will be implemented as 4% in 2025-26; 3% in 2026-27; and a minimum of 3% in 2027-28. If the state provides a cost of living adjustment of more than 3% in 2027-28, the district will match that in a salary increase. If the adjustment is more than 4%, the two teams will reopen salary negotiations.

Under the tentative agreement’s terms, the AUSD will also increase its contribution 47% to AEA members’ individual health plans by January 2028. AUSD’s contribution to employee family plans will increase 76% by that time. Altogether, the two teams have come to agreement on 14 articles, including leaves, professional dues, work hours, evaluation, class size, stipends and transfers.

The next steps are for AEA members and then the AUSD’s Board of Education to vote on whether to ratify the tentative agreement. The financial terms must also be approved by the Alameda County Office of Education.

Auditorium reopening: We are also happy to announce that historic Alameda High School’s storied Kofman Auditorium will open once again for performances in early April.

Upgrades to the auditorium’s theater include new curtains (including replacement fire and proscenium curtains); new fixed battens (for hanging the curtains); a full-sized projection screen and a state-of-the-art projector; new balcony guardrails; strengthened balcony light fixtures; new stage lights, sound systems and control panels; and a beautifully refinished stage floor.

In addition, the AUSD’s Construction Department built three new dressing rooms to replace those that had been built beneath the stage and were not accessible. We are excited to see this beautiful theater brought back to life!

Enrollment: Finally, we want to remind the community that enrollment for the 2026-27 school year is open now for all grade levels. You can find information on how to enroll at tinyurl.com/Enroll-in-AUSD.

Reach Susan Davis, the Alameda Unified School District’s senior manager for community affairs, at 510-337-7175 or SDavis@alamedaunified.org.