Classes may be over, but negotiations are continuing for the next Ann Arbor public school teachers' contract.
Ann Arbor public school teachers cite enrollment growth in the district as just one of the reasons they feel the district can pay them more. The teachers’ contract expires at the end of June 2017, and there have been some informal demonstrations and community signs of support for an increase in pay for teachers.
Negotiating sessions scheduled for later this week and next week (6/22 and 6/26), and both sides say they are optimistic a contract agreement will be reached.
There are differing views, however, of whether or not Ann Arbor teachers have seen their pay go up in recent years and whether or not their pay rate has kept up with the rate of inflation.
Saying the district is in a good financial position, the Ann Arbor teachers union has high expectations as they continue contract talks. Ann Arbor Education Association president Linda Carter says she's concerned they're losing teachers over pay.
"I can't lose sight of the wonderful and amazing teachers who have left the district, or left the teaching profession for good. To me, that's a tragedy. We've lost some of the best and brightest because we're not being competitive with our salary here."
With the Ann Arbor teacher contract deadline quickly approaching, Ann Arbor teachers have been in talks with the district since March.
Ann Arbor Education Association President Linda Carter feels that it is in everyone’s best interest to work with teachers on an increase in salary.
"We have an opportunity in Ann Arbor to be powerful, in a leadership role - that values transparent collaboration. Quite frankly, it's in our best interest to be on the same page to watch our students learn, grow, and succeed."
Negotiations will continue this week on Thursday. Both sides say they are feeling positive about an agreement being reached.
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— Lisa Barry is a reporter, and host of All Things Considered on 89.1 WEMU. Contact her at 734.487.3363, on twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her lbarryma@emich.edu
