LEXINGTON — The Lexington Teachers Association has withdrawn a grievance against the district after reaching an agreement with the school board on teacher prep time, professional development days and health insurance.
The teachers union filed a grievance against the district in September, after the board voted to implement a contract union members rejected.
Wednesday night’s agreement addresses several of the union’s key concerns with the initial implementation.
Board members voted Wednesday to approve a memorandum of understanding with the LTA.
Union spokesperson Kaitlyn Swartzmiller said the agreement addressed several of the union’s key concerns with the contract approved in September.
A press release from the LTA lauded “notable improvements” that included securing dedicated planning time as the district transitions to a new elementary school, adding professional development days to the district calendar and phasing in insurance cost increases to lessen the immediate financial burden on staff.
“We are happy to be moving forward,” Swartzmiller said. “This has been a difficult situation, and I am glad we were able to reach an agreement, put this behind us and continue as the strong district that we are.”
Swartzmiller said the last several months have been challenging for educators across the district. For about two months, the union was on a “soft strike” — only working contracted, school day hours. That strike ended after union members overwhelmingly approved the MOU on Nov. 20.
LTA President Pat Cannon said he was pleased with the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting, grateful for the support of the community and excited to be moving forward.”
District leaders offered similar sentiments.
“I’m thankful it’s agreeable for everybody,” board president Keith Stoner said. “Nothing substantive changed in the contract itself, but we’re phasing some of the changes in, which made them a lot more palatable for people, I think.”
Superintendent Jeremy Secrist said he appreciates teachers’ efforts each and every day.
“We are a family, and like families, we may disagree from time to time, but we are 100% united in our efforts to improve student outcomes and provide life-changing opportunities for them,” he said.
What’s changing for teachers?
Lexington teachers will have an additional two days for professional development and planning/grading/prep time each school year under the agreement.
The MOU also establishes a labor management committee for elementary teachers to have a say in the planning process as Lexington prepares to merge its early grades into one consolidated elementary school.
According to the MOU, the committee will review proposed schedules, instructional models and room assignments impacting teacher preparation time; provide input on transition logistics and make recommendations to Secrist and the LTA president regarding working conditions, communications protocols and planning needs during the merger.
District officials hope to have the new elementary school complete and ready for students by the fall of 2026.
Meeting in the middle on health insurance
Lastly, the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum increases included in the September contract will be phased in over a three-year period, rather than taking full effect in January.
Teachers will see their in-network deductibles increase to $300 for individuals and $600 for families in 2026.
In network out-of-pocket maximums will increase to $1,800 for individuals and $3,600 for families, starting in January.
The board also approved a second MOU Wednesday extending the same health insurance changes to members of the Lexington Support Association, a union for non-teaching and non-administrative employees in the district.
While the district made some concessions on health insurance, other aspects from the contract implemented in September remain unchanged.
LTA members will see their share of health insurance premiums increase from 14 to 15 percent in January. Co-insurance rates will rise from 15 to 20 percent.
The board also voted to approve medical, dental and vision insurance premium rates for 2026.
Treasurer Jason Whitesel said the district was able to keep premiums from increasing for next year based on last year’s costs and changes agreed to by the union.
The district’s stop loss insurance costs for 2026 will increase by 9.8 percent, totaling $290.42 per employee, per month.
