BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2014 Bethlehem Area School District teachers secured raises each school year through 2028-29, thanks to early bird contract negotiations.<\/p>\n
School directors at their Monday meeting approved the three years of raises, which start in 2026-27.<\/p>\n
Board President Michael Faccinetto said the contract was fair to all parties affected by its terms \u2014 teachers, the district administration and community members.<\/p>\n
He also said the district has a great partnership with Bethlehem Education Association, which represents 1,048 teachers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate the BEA [for] working with us,\u201d Faccinetto said. \u201cWe don\u2019t have the animosity that exists in some other places, it\u2019s always very professional.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate the BEA [for] working with us. … We don\u2019t have the animosity that exists in some other places, it\u2019s always very professional.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael Faccinetto, Bethlehem Area Board President<\/p>\n
At the time of the school board vote, the collective bargaining agreement was not posted publicly. LehighValleyNews.com received a copy Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The document shows teacher salaries will increase by $3,000 in 2026-27. The following year, salaries will go up $2,800, and then, to close out the contract, teachers will see their pay boosted another $2,800 in 2028-29.<\/p>\n
Bethlehem Education Association President Laura Keding told LehighValleyNews.com that pay raises were the main focus of negotiations in order to keep salaries competitive. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe association and the district worked together to accomplish an early negotiation to set us up for success as we move through the next few years in terms of supporting and maintaining our current staff, who are phenomenal, and also attracting great educators to the district,” Keding said.<\/p>\n
The new contract was approved by 91% of voting members. <\/p>\n
In 2022, the teachers\u2019 union also secured three years of raises thanks to an early bird extension of their contract. <\/p>\n
Salaries increased by $5,700 thanks to that contract, including a $1,800 pay boost teachers will see in the upcoming school year.<\/p>\n
New salaries for teachers<\/p>\n
The new contract that was approved this week will take effect July 1, 2026, and run through June 30, 2029.<\/p>\n
In the first year of the new contract, the starting annual teacher pay will be $59,954. The top salary for teachers with a master\u2019s degree and 45 or more credits will be $101,221. The top salary for teachers with a doctoral degree will be $104,681.<\/p>\n
By the final year of the contract in 2028-29, the starting annual teacher pay will be $65,554. The top salary for teachers with a master\u2019s degree and 45 or more credits will be $106,821. The top salary for teachers with a doctorate will be $110,281.<\/p>\n
Those salaries don\u2019t take into account longevity pay for teachers who\u2019ve been in the district for at least 20 years.<\/p>\n
Senior teachers get an additional sum of money added to their annual salary each July. Annual longevity pay ranges from $1,200 to $3,600 depending on the total years of service for a given teacher.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also gives us long term predictability for our upcoming district budgets.”<\/p>\n
Jack Silva, Bethlehem Area Superintendent<\/p>\n
Superintendent Jack Silva in an email called the terms of the contract \u201cfair.\u201d He also praised the teachers\u2019 union for their \u201cprofessional and responsible approach\u201d to negotiations.<\/p>\n
Silva said the agreement will help BASD \u201cattract and retain the highly professional teachers that our students deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also gives us long term predictability for our upcoming district budgets,\u201d Silva said.<\/p>\n