Philadelphia Board of Education Approves New Three-Year Contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

The Philadelphia Board of Education voted at a special action meeting tonight to approve a new three-year contract agreement with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT). The agreement, reached a week before the August 31 deadline, provides greater stability for the District’s educators and ensures students’ learning continues uninterrupted.

Under the new agreement, approximately 14,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, nurses, and secretaries will see annual salary increases, bonuses, and expanded benefits.

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to Philadelphia’s students and the dedicated educators who serve them,” said Board President Reginald L. Streater, Esq. “We are grateful to District leadership and the PFT for engaging in meaningful negotiations that put students first. By investing in our educators, we are investing in student achievement, and we are proud to move forward with stability and momentum.”

“We are pleased about the ratification of the three-year agreement with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) contract that both honors the hard work of our educators and maintains our record of strong financial stewardship,” said Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D. “Five decades of research has shown us — that highly qualified, well-supported, and stable teachers over time are the number one factor in accelerating student achievement. This contract gives us stability, clarity, and momentum to continue working in partnership with the PFT and to further implement our five-year strategic plan, Accelerate Philly. We are excited that this fair and fiscally responsible contract includes 3% annual salary increases, scale adjustments to improve recruitment and retention, and the introduction of historic paid parental leave. It also replaces the current 3-5-7-9 attendance procedure with a new approach that better supports both educators and our students. We appreciate the continued partnership and leadership with PFT and President Arthur Steinberg, as we strive to become the nation’s fastest improving, large urban school district.”

The new agreement provides annual raises and bonuses, introduces five weeks of parental leave, and streamlines advancement for senior teachers. It increases stipends for classroom and health supplies, offers certification support for new nurses, and creates new incentives for educators in hard-to-staff schools and subject areas, along with joint committees to explore innovations that support student achievement.

The Board emphasized that the agreement aligns with Accelerate Philly, the District’s five-year strategic plan, by providing stability, strengthening support for educators, and advancing efforts to accelerate academic achievement across Philadelphia’s schools.

The agreement takes effect immediately and will remain in place through August 2027.

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