Salina teachers union seeks $2,000 base pay raise, health insurance bump in latest contract talks
The union and the school district have reached minor tentative agreements as they prepare for a third round of negotiations in May.
SALINA, Kan. — The local teachers union is seeking a $2,000 base pay raise and a significant boost to health care benefits as contract talks with Salina Public Schools continue for the 2026-2027 school year.
In a second round of negotiations, NEA-Salina proposed that the district increase its health insurance contribution from $580 per month to 85% of the premium cost across all plan tiers. The union also proposed a new provision requiring the district to pay health contributions for retirees with at least 20 years of service until they reach Medicare eligibility, and requested that all years of service to USD 305 count toward longevity pay regardless of the employee's position type.
The union and the USD 305 Board of Education, led by President Gabe Grant, have already reached tentative agreements to clarify home district assignments after hire and to add elementary music teachers to special salary provisions. Several sticking points remain on the bargaining table, including updates to the employee dress code, supplemental contracts, consistent duty-free lunches across all buildings and changes to the district's blackout day policy.
Negotiators will meet for a third round of talks at 4 p.m. May 11 in the multipurpose room at the Hageman building, 409 W. Cloud St., Salina.
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