The Lower Merion Board of School Directors unanimously voted to approve a tentative new collective bargaining contract with the Lower Merion Educators Association (LMEA). The resolution, which would extend LMEA’s contract to June 30, 2024, includes salary increases as well as healthcare changes.
According to the district LMEA also approved the contract on October 14th.
According to the School Board, negotiations began in late July, characterizing the resolution as an “early bird agreement.” Amy Buckman, the Director of School and Community Relations for the district commented that the “agreement was reached swiftly, amicably and ahead of schedule” in an email to the community.
In that same email, Ms. Buckman indicated that the School District wholeheartedly supports the new contract:
“The contract recognizes and rewards the excellence of our staff and is attentive to the fiscal realities of the District and its taxpayers. This agreement facilitates the District’s ability to accurately forecast budgetary needs for compensation and provides peace of mind for staff, as our District continues to take on additional projects, such as building a new middle school, to meet the challenges of our increasing enrollment.”
A former senior officer of the LMEA commented on background that he feels similarly; he stated “I like [the new contract], I think it’s a win-win for both sides.”