During its April 26 meeting, the Mason City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a three-year agreement with the Mason Education Association (MEA). The contract was overwhelmingly ratified on April 22 by the MEA, which represents about 620 Mason educators.

The agreement includes a 3 percent one-time cash payment for Mason’s educators who have been working through ever-changing conditions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The moment we were forced to close our doors last spring, our staff immediately got to work on how to continue delivering Mason quality education in a world of remote learning.  In the summer that followed, Mason educators never wavered from their commitment to our students.  They planned for an unprecedented year with little guidance from state or federal authorities, and fully committed to doing whatever it took to meet students’ needs in-person and online.  As a result, Mason was among less than twenty percent of all districts across the country to offer students the opportunity to return in-person full time, as well as online.  The impact this past year will have on our students, their families, and the community for years to come cannot be overstated,” said Charles Galvin, School Board President.
The agreement also calls for a 2 percent increase in salaries for 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, and a 2.25 percent increase in salaries for the 2023-2024 school years. Educators who are eligible will receive step increases.  In addition, teachers agreed to increase the employee contribution to health insurance in the third year of the agreement from 10 percent to 15 percent.

“Just as employees in many professions have had their working conditions impacted by the pandemic, Mason educators have adapted to our new context, some of the lessons of which we see reflected in this 3-year agreement.  I'm incredibly proud of the shining efforts Mason educators have brought to their students and their families every day during this year of constant adjustments and readjustments.  We appreciate the community's consistent support and generous flexibility, as we are all learners, growing together in these astonishing times.,” said Maria Mueller, MEA President.

“Time and again, our community has expressed its appreciation for recruiting and retaining exceptional talent.  This agreement maintains our position among the most competitive districts in the region, while honoring our commitment to being fiscally responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Galvin continued.

All district administrators and non-union classified employees (aides, bus drivers, clerical, and technical staff) will receive the same one-time three percent cash payment, wage increases, and insurance as the district’s educators. The Board of Education is currently negotiating with its custodial staff. The district’s custodial and maintenance staff are represented by the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) Local 070.