The Kalispell Education Association has a new contract in place that seeks to move the dial on starting pay for new teachers after nearly 280 days of negotiations that began in February. 

More than 88% of Kalispell Education Association members ratified the collective bargaining agreement after voting concluded Monday. The union has 397 members.  The Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees unanimously approved the contract Nov. 12. 

The collective bargaining agreement impacts approximately 450 certified staff — of which 397 belong to the union — including teachers, school nurses, psychologists and speech-language pathologists, who have been working under a 2023-24 contract.   

The two-year contract includes retroactive pay for the current 2024-25 school year and goes through the 2025-26 school year.  

The contract includes a 13% increase to the base and a 2.5% increase at the top end of the salary matrix for the 2024-25 school year. A first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree will be paid $43,375, up from $38,385. 

For the 2025-26 school year, the contract includes a 10% increase to the base and a 2.11% increase at the top. A first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree would earn $47,713.   

The average salary increase across all experience levels will be 4.64%, which translates to $2,795. 

The increases aimed to get the school district in line with its Class AA counterparts, of which, it paid one of the lowest starting salaries. The increase also brings starting salaries closer to smaller districts such Class A school districts Whitefish and Columbia Falls. In Whitefish, teachers with a bachelor’s degree start at $44,701 and in Columbia Falls, $42,621. 

Compensation was the last hurdle in reaching an agreement, according to Kalispell Education Association Vice President and negotiations chairman Anthony Lapke and President Lynne Rider.  

“In a survey conducted last fall, 90% of our members indicated that the starting teacher salary was inadequate," Lapke said in a press release. "Attracting and retaining high-quality educators is critical for maintaining and growing the programs our community values." 

Many veteran and starting teachers advocated for salary improvements and provided personal insight into the dilemma of living in the district they teach with the increased cost of living at previous board meetings. 

“Many teachers reported needing roommates, taking on multiple jobs, and postponing major life events due to financial constraints,” Lapke said. 

As a result of the ratification, non-union and administrative staff will receive a two-year pay increase. Non-union employees will receive a 4% increase for the 2024-25 school year and a 3% increase for 2025-26. Administrators will get a 2.5% increase for the current school year, and a 2.11% increase in 2025-26. 

With more numbers ironed out, the district will continue tackling a projected $2.5 to $3 million deficit in the current year and a potential $1.5 million deficit next year, according to Chris Campbell, the school district's finance director.  

According to school officials, the deficit is due to a combination of factors such as salary and health insurance increases, inflation, failed high school levies, underfunded departments and the expiration of Covid relief money.  

While celebrating contract improvements, the union acknowledged the financial challenges the district faces.  

“This agreement honors our certified staff’s vital role while creating a sustainable pay matrix. However, KPS faces substantial financial hurdles beyond this agreement,” Lapke said.    

Part of those reductions include staff. At the Nov. 12 board meeting, Campbell projected that staff would need to be reduced by 14 full-time equivalent positions in the elementary district (grades K-8) and 25 full-time equivalent positions in the high school district. The district plans to notify staff affected by the reductions in December. 

The district is also offering staff a $30,000 retirement incentive. The district will realize savings if more than 20 people take the incentive.    

“Our dedicated teachers are recognized across the state as a model of excellence and deserving of the highest levels of support the district can provide,” Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Matt Jensen said. “This agreement demonstrates what we can achieve through collaborative effort and shared purpose while also recognizing the responsibility to manage our limited funding for the entire school community.” 

According to the National Education Association, Montana ranks 51 in the nation for average teacher starting salary at $34,476. The state ranks 42nd in the nation for average teacher salary at $55,909.   

“We’re at a critical juncture,” Lapke said. “We are facing reductions in staff, programs, and student opportunities without a successful levy passage even with changes in state funding allocation. Our community and state must develop sustainable school funding solutions for the next decade. Otherwise, we risk spending more time managing cuts than driving innovation.”    

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].