Plum, teachers union announce tentative, early 6-year contract deal

The Plum School District and its teachers union announced Thursday they have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract.

The agreement was described as an “early bird,” meaning it was reached before the expiration of the existing agreement.

The current six-year contract between the district and its teachers, approved in April 2019, was retroactive to July 1, 2018, and was to run through June 30, 2024. Those negotiations included a strike threat, which was avoided.

If approved by both sides, the new contract would run through the end of the 2029 school year.

Members of the Plum Borough Education Association are scheduled to vote on ratifying the agreement May 26. If the union approves it, the school board will vote at its May 30 meeting.

Highlights of the deal will be released to the public following final approval, district and union officials said.

“I feel this is a fair agreement for our entire membership that would offer stability and unity to the community, the teachers and the district,” PBEA President Jenna Romanelli said. “We look forward to continuing in collaboration with the district and community to put education first.”

Superintendent Brendan Hyland said the partnership between the district and union has laid a firm foundation for the district’s future.

“The association and the district teams worked hard to make this a collaborative effort,” Hyland said. “We both know how crucial it is to attract and retain the best people to be in front of our students, but we also recognize that we have a responsibility to the citizens that pay the bills.”