The Springfield Public Schools District 186 Board of Education voted 5‑0 Aug. 12 to adopt a two‑year collective bargaining agreement with the Springfield Education Association (SEA) after the union membership ratified the tentative agreement earlier that evening.

Superintendent Gil told the board the district had "received word from the bargaining chair" and that Christine Sanders had verified through the district HR office that SEA members ratified the tentative agreement, clearing the way for a board vote. The board then read and adopted a resolution approving the changes to the negotiated agreement.

Why it matters: the contract increases pay and alters working conditions for certified and educational support personnel (ESP) across the district. The district said the agreement will be reflected on the first paycheck for employees covered by the SEA bargaining unit and that the increases are funded in part by local assessed‑valuation growth and state funding changes.

Key financial terms and scope
Certified staff in year one (2025–26) will receive step movement plus longevity where applicable, a 4% increase on salary schedules and a $250 increase to the bottom cell of each column. The district estimated the cost of the certified increase, including benefits, at approximately $5,625,384. The district estimated the ESP increase, including benefits, at approximately $703,487. District officials reported the combined cost for year one at roughly $6,328,872.

For year two (2026–27) the contract provides step movement plus longevity for certified staff and a 3.5% increase on salary schedule cells; the district estimated the certified cost at about $4,848,276. District officials estimated the non‑certified (ESP) cost for year two at about $425,991 and the combined year‑two cost at approximately $5,274,267.

The district said roughly 1,240 employees are covered by the agreement (about 1,100 certified staff and 140 non‑certified staff). The superintendent also noted $848,000 in savings realized through attrition in teacher‑leader and administrative positions and broader planned reductions of about $3.5 million going into the FY2026 budget.

Other contract provisions
The agreement changes several working‑condition provisions: increasing paid holidays for nonprobationary ESPs from seven to nine; new rules for counting prior experience for ESPs; added longevity stipend bands and daily stipend amounts for certain specialists; a $150 annual clothing stipend and a one‑time winter coat allowance for security staff; limits and pay for extra supervisory duties and substitutes; caps on class sizes for specific special‑education settings; and steps toward providing a certified full‑time nurse for buildings with complex medical needs or enrollment above thresholds identified by the district.

Board discussion and comments
Board members and district leadership framed the ratification as the product of lengthy negotiations. Board Member Miller said the settlement showed the district "values the teachers in this district" and observed that "3% is still considered to be a pretty fair rate of increase each year" in current conditions. Vice President Lael Wolfe, speaking as an individual, thanked negotiators and said, "I'm happy to vote yes on this contract," and the board then voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.

Process and next steps
The superintendent said the district will continue bargaining in good faith with other employee groups whose agreements remain unresolved and will present the district's FY2026 budget at the board meeting on Aug. 18. The contract language includes implementation deadlines (for example, some class‑size caps begin in year two) and several provisions that will require district administrative follow‑through, committees, or further planning before changes are fully implemented.

Votes at a glance
The board adopted a resolution that "approves the changes to the bargaining agreement with the Springfield Education Association as noted in the tentative signed tentative agreements and ratified by the membership of the SEA on 08/12/2025." The roll call recorded: Gilmore — Aye; Iams — Aye; Lael Wolfe — Aye; Miller — Aye; Blissett — Aye. Motion passed, 5 Aye, 0 No.

The board did not identify any dissenting votes or conditions attached to approval during the public vote. The superintendent and negotiators said the SEA membership ratified the tentative agreement earlier in the evening, and the board’s action formalized that agreement on the district side.

Ending
Board members and negotiators thanked each other for lengthy bargaining sessions, and the superintendent said the district will continue negotiations with other employee groups while implementing the new SEA contract.