The Ephrata Area School District and the Ephrata Area Education Association have reached a contract agreement. Early negotiations began in fall of 2025 and earned approval votes by the Ephrata Area Education Association on Thursday, April 23 and the District School Board on Monday, April 27.
School Board President Mr. Chris Weber shared his appreciation - on behalf of the Board of School Directors - for the newly reached agreement. “This reflects a spirit of mutual respect, thoughtful collaboration, and a shared commitment to the success of our district. We deeply appreciate the commitment, passion, and care our educators bring to their work, and we look forward to continued partnership in the years ahead,” he said.
The new contract, which is effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030, includes an average salary increase of 4.25 percent over the four years of the contract. This helps district teachers’ earnings keep pace with market averages and those of other school districts.
“We have hard-working and dedicated educators throughout the district who invest heavily in the success of each student. This contract shows the commitment of Ephrata Area School District to professional staff members and the daily, complex work of engaging and inspiring every student," continued Superintendent Dr. Brian Troop.
Ephrata Area Education Association President Michael Jennings shared he is pleased with the outcome. “The Ephrata Area School district prioritizes 'life-ready' skills like collaboration and critical thinking, values that were central to these successful negotiations. While rising healthcare costs presented challenges, our collaborative approach to negotiations resulted in an agreement that supports our professional staff and helps the district mitigate the challenges of our current fiscal environment,” he shared.
While many factors were considered during the negotiation process, what remained the top priority was to do what is best for the students and the community. “This contract will allow us to continue to retain and attract the dedicated professional staff our students and community deserve. We thank the Board, Dr. Troop, and EASD Business Manager Kristee Reichard for a Collective Bargaining Agreement which provides the four years of stability needed to keep our focus exactly where it belongs - on the success and growth of every student in our schools,” Mr. Jennings concluded.