Details emerge about what Mars Area’s new teacher contract will look like
Details are now available about a third-party fact-finding report approved earlier this week by the Mars Area School District’s board and Mars Area Education Association’s members.
The report recommended a four-year agreement from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030 with a salary increase of 4.75% in each of the four years. Its approval effectively resolved a contract dispute that had spilled over into the new academic year.
The board had earlier supported a 3.5% annual wage increase with a three-year agreement. The teachers had demanded a five-year agreement, with wage increases of 6%, 5.5%, 5.5%, 5.25% and 5%.
“We have a phenomenal staff. We have excellent teachers,” said Mark Gross, superintendent, in a statement. “I would like to thank the board (members) for the approval, and I would like to thank the teachers for their approval.
“That gives us a solid foundation to move forward.”
The report’s findings received overwhelming support from union members with only one board member — John Kennedy, board president — voting against it.
The contract dispute between the two sides had commenced after the previous contract expired on June 30. Issues between the district and the union’s negotiating teams included what annual salary increases, health insurance coverage and the length of the overall contract should look like.
The dispute led to several rallies held ahead of the new school year, where teachers showed up to school board meetings donning red shirts and holding signs that asked for support.
In total, the fact-finding report resolved nine issues that had led to negotiations between the district and the union. Annual salary increases and length of the overall contract were among them.
Hollie Meckler, president of the teachers’ union, said on Wednesday that the report’s recommendations came close to the union’s original stipulations during early negotiations in 2025.
The report also proposes changes in the district’s health insurance contributions. The district would contribute 30% in 2027-2028 academic year and 25% in the following years.
The salary schedule will be reduced by one step to 19 at the start of the 2027-28 school year, and reduced by one more step to 18 at the start of the following year. Kennedy had marked the steps reduction as his only point of disagreement with the report.
Due to a 10-day window agreed upon by both parties, the report’s exact conclusions were not revealed until Thursday, Sept. 10.
The final agreement will need to be signed by the board and the union before taking effect.
