New Deal for Schoharie Teachers - Union, District OK 3-Year Deal With Pay Hikes and Health Insurance Changes

SCHOHARIE - Schoharie school board members and union members have approved a new three-year contract for 92 district teachers and teaching assistants.

The contract contains pay increases, increases in employee payments for health insurance, and other changes.

The deal covers July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029. The contract was dated on March 3 and signed by Superintendent David Blanchard and union officers on March 19. The school board approved the deal at their April 23 meeting and the union has also approved the deal.

The deal contains pay increases for both teachers and teaching assistants.

Salary increases will be:

Teachers and registered nurses: 

* 2026-27 Step plus 1.7 percent.

*.2027-28 Step plus 1.7 percent.

* 2028-29 Step plus 1.7 percent.

Teaching Assistants:

* 2026-27 Step plus 2.3 percent.

* 2027-28 Step plus 2.3 percent.

* 2028-29 Step plus 2.3 percent.

Other changes in the contract include:

* "As long as three or more snow days remain at Memorial Day, two days will be added to the Memorial Day weekend. As long as one or two days remain at Memorial Day, only one day will be added to the Memorial Day weekend."

* The parties agree to form a committee that will review new regulations regarding APPR and Teacher Evaluation and make recommendations to the negotiating committee accordingly. This committee will commence during the summer of 2026 and shall have recommendations prior to the expiration of the agreement (June 30, 2028). 

* Payment for graduate and In-service credits shall be modified, effective July 1, 2026, to reflect $7,500.

"The parties agree that once a member meets the career earnings cap, as provided for above, that they will not be eligible for reimbursement (either as part of an earnings cap or additional compensation) for graduate hours or in-service credit, unless directed to, in writing, by the Superintendent of Schools."

* Increase the Health Insurance employee contribution as follows: 2026-27: 16 percent, 2027-28: 17 percent, and 2028-29: 18 percent.