Board of Education Approves Contract with Holland Education Association

(June 19, 2023 - Holland, MI) During their regular meeting today, trustees of the Holland Board of Education approved the 2023-2025 contract with the Holland Education Association. The agreement provides an approximate 12% average pay increase for teachers in the district in the first year of the contract with an additional step increase and possible raise in the second year dependent on enrollment.

Superintendent Nick Cassidy said, “We know teachers have a great impact on students in our city. We value the work teachers do and we are committed to investing in them."

Over the last few years, Holland Public Schools made difficult decisions in order to establish long-term financial gains for staff. As a result of this fiscal responsibility, the district was able to modify the salary schedule in the current contact in ways that would have never been possible.

The approved contract also invests a significant amount of time for professional growth for educators.  Early-Release days included in the approved District Calendar will increase the time teachers work collaboratively in order to grow professionally.  On most Wednesdays during the school year, students will be released one hour before the scheduled dismissal time in order to provide the time for teachers to work on professional development. These Early-Release days will significantly reduce the number of half days on the approved schedule and reduce the number of days teachers will be out of the classroom for professional development. 

For many families in our city, Early-Release days will require additional childcare. District and building administrators are currently working on plans for providing FREE after-school programs on the Early-Release days.

The Holland Education Association is thrilled with the unprecedented outcome of the recent contract negotiations. HEA President Anne Wallace said,  “Holland Public Schools is a wonderfully unique district in so many ways. However, the teacher shortage has impacted our ability to recruit and retain staff. More competitive salaries and an investment in teacher development will help level the playing field, adding to the momentum of HPS being a district where quality employees are proud to join and stay for the duration of their careers. 

The agreement follows 10 bargaining sessions - starting in February - totaling more than 25 hours of negotiations between the HEA and school district.