The Monroe Public Schools and the Monroe Education Association (MCEA) the union which represents the district’s teachers, have reached agreement on a two-year contract covering the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years. 

The pact was ratified by the teachers this week and approved by the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday night (August 9.)

“We are pleased that we have a two-year agreement with our teachers.  We thank them for their cooperative approach in contract negotiations during what are still uncertain financial times for public school districts,” said Dr. Barry Martin, superintendent, Monroe Public Schools.  “The union leadership came into negotiations with some creative approaches to some challenging issues which allowed us to achieve this two-year deal.”

“The teachers at Monroe Public Schools have had to do some serious belt-tightening for more than 10 years in the wake of budget issues and political actions taken by the State of Michigan,” said Darren Pocs, MCEA president. “We are grateful to see some positive financial moves forward for our people in the contract, and also for a collaborative bargaining session between our union and central office.

“We hope this current contract opens the doors for continued improvements in the future for our teachers who have dedicated their careers to educating the children of our community,” Mr. Pocs said. 

The two-year contract includes adjustments to the salary schedule as well as some fringe benefit language.   

"Starting the school year with this contract in place is a significant accomplishment and one that bodes well for the upcoming school year,” Dr. Martin said.