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ALPENA - Alpena Public Schools (APS) and the Alpena Education Association (AEA) are pleased to announce the successful ratification of a new two-year collective bargaining agreement, effective for the 2026-2028 school years. The agreement, which was overwhelmingly supported by both the APS Board of Education and the AEA membership, represents a shared commitment to student success, educational excellence, and the attraction and retention of top-tier educators in the Alpena community.
Throughout the negotiation process, both APS administration and AEA leadership prioritized open communication and mutual respect. The resulting contract successfully balances competitive compensation for teaching staff with the district's long-term fiscal responsibilities.
Michele Vilas, Executive Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations, praised the collaborative effort:
“We are incredibly proud of the productive and collaborative spirit that defined these negotiations. This new two-year agreement reflects our shared dedication to providing a high-quality education for Alpena’s students while securing and retaining exceptional educators. By working together, we established a contract that honors the hard work of our teachers, enhances crucial support for special education, and maintains fiscal responsibility for our community. It is a win for our staff, our students, and the entire Alpena district.”
On behalf of the Alpena Education Association, Co-Presidents Kara Gehrke and Marie Misel shared, "We are pleased to reach a ratified agreement that invests in our dedicated educators and supports our students. With this contract in place, our entire focus remains where it belongs: delivering the high-quality education our community’s children deserve every single day."
Key Highlights of the 2026-2028 Contract Include:
– Competitive Compensation: To attract and retain high-quality teaching staff, the agreement includes a 4% increase to the salary schedule for the 2026-2027 school year, followed by a 2% increase for the 2027-2028 school year.
– Commitment to Special Education: Recognizing the critical needs of our most vulnerable students, the contract introduces a hard cap on special education caseloads (18 students). Additionally, it provides a productivity incentive for qualifying Special Education teachers.
– Optimized Learning Environments: To ensure students receive individualized attention, the district established standardized class sizes.
– Collaborative Healthcare Solutions: The district and the AEA have formed a joint Medical Insurance Committee tasked with reviewing insurance plans to minimize out-of-pocket costs for employees and reducing costs for the District. The contract also introduces a new lower-premium health insurance option (Simply Blue H.S.A. 3400/6800) for staff.
Both Alpena Public Schools and the Alpena Education Association look forward to implementing this new agreement and continuing their partnership to foster a thriving, supportive, and exceptional educational environment for all students.