Middletown Teachers Association celebrates approval of new contract with Middletown Unified School District

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — This week, the ongoing negotiations between the Middletown Unified School District and the Middletown Teachers Association, which represents the district’s teachers, came to a successful conclusion.

After the association, or MTA, voted in April to authorize a strike, the two sides returned to the bargaining table, which led to a May 2 session that resulted in a tentative agreement.

On Tuesday, MTA ratified the agreement, and on the following evening the Middletown Unified School District unanimously approved the agreement.

The approval of the contract by both parties comes, appropriately, in the midst of national Teacher Appreciation Week.

In a Thursday statement, the union said the agreement “marks a meaningful step forward for our educators, our schools, and — most importantly — our students. It reflects the core values that guide our work every day: respect, professionalism and a steadfast commitment to educational excellence.”

The agreement’s highlights include the following:

Contingency-based salary increase: A 1% salary increase will be triggered if the district’s unaudited 2024-25 financials show an increase in either the ending balance or reserves beyond the cost of such an increase — establishing what the union called “a fair, data-driven path to compensation improvements.”

Improved training flexibility: 50% of mandated Keenan training will now take place during professional development time, early release days, or in lieu of staff meetings — protecting valuable personal and instructional time.

Support for colleagues: Peer Support/Induction stipends will increase to $2,500, recognizing the important mentorship roles educators take on.

Fair compensation for bilingual educators: A new bilingual stipend will be implemented for translation services of at least 30 minutes, ensuring educators are compensated for this vital support.

Individualized education program, or IEP, meeting clarity: Annual reminders will be sent at the start of each school year to ensure timely and inclusive scheduling of IEP meetings.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that honors the dedication of our educators and provides continued stability for our school community,” said MTA President Adam Evans. “This contract supports our members while reinforcing our shared goal of delivering excellent education in every classroom.”

“While we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on the future,” Evans said. “Bargaining will resume next school year, and MTA is committed to ensuring that the voices of educators — those who know our students best — remain central in shaping the future of education in Middletown.”

He added, “We thank our members for their unity and strength throughout this process and reaffirm our dedication to advocating for the resources, conditions, and respect that educators and students alike deserve.”

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.