Bargaining Updates

Both parties plan to began the day in individual caucuses and then bargaining throughout the day, tentatively agreed on a new, two-year contract.

Both parties began the day in individual caucus and then convened from 10:30 a.m.  to 7:15 p.m.

Both bargaining teams came to the table at 9 a.m. The District and MEA bargaining teams exchanged revised packages and engaged in dialogue regarding the proposals. The session concluded at 8:30 p.m. 

August 31, 2025

Mead School District Community –

Today, our district and the Mead Education Association (MEA) tentatively agreed on a new, two-year contract. We are excited to welcome back students for the first day of school as scheduled on Sept. 2.

The first day of school is as meaningful as it is fun—a day that brings with it a sense of anticipation and the promise of growth and opportunity. We know the uncertainty of the last couple of days has been stressful for many, and we’re thankful to have avoided a delayed start to the school year.

The collective bargaining process is complex and difficult, and I want to share my sincere appreciation for the negotiation teams whose diligent efforts led to this agreement.

We are deeply grateful for your continued support, trust, and partnership. We wish your family a strong and positive start to the new school year. We look forward to seeing your kids on Tuesday!

Sincerely,

Travis Hanson
Superintendent

Mead School District Community,

Bargaining between the district and Mead Education Association (MEA) continued today, August 30, 2025. The parties bargained from 10:30 am to 7:15 pm.

While progress was made on topics including class size and inclusionary practices (classroom-based student supports), the district continues to work through the association’s demands for additional money in the form of stipends and new positions.

The parties will reconvene tomorrow following individual caucuses in the morning. The district will continue to provide updates throughout the day.

We understand the impact of this uncertainty on our families and will continue to work in earnest to reach an agreement.

Sincerely,

Travis Hanson
Superintendent

Mead School District Community –

Bargaining between the district and Mead Education Association (MEA) continues today, August 30, 2025. Today’s session is scheduled to run throughout the day and as late as necessary.

As shared last night, significant progress was made in a number of key areas, however, important topics remain on the table. We have received a number of questions from community members and have put together a landing page with updates and frequently asked questions that can provide important context to the negotiations. As negotiations continue, the district will provide more information on this page.

This webpage can be found at www.mead354.org/bargaining.

Our top priority remains to reach an agreement and welcome your kids back to school on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Travis Hanson
Superintendent

Mead School District Community –

Bargaining between the district and Mead Education Association (MEA) continues this evening, August 29, 2025, with significant progress on key items, including student discipline and behavior supports for classroom teachers. Along with continued efforts this evening, the district and MEA will return to the bargaining table tomorrow morning if necessary.

We were encouraged by the dialogue during today’s session, and the conversation continues to move forward on a number of additional important items.

We are committed to keeping you informed and will provide regular updates as negotiations progress throughout the weekend.

As always, thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support.

Sincerely,

Travis Hanson
Superintendent

Mead School District Families –

We hope this message finds you enjoying the last few days of summer. As the first day of school approaches, we are reaching out to provide an important update regarding current negotiations with the Mead Education Association (MEA).

First, we love and appreciate our teachers and all of our certificated staff members. These educators inspire, guide, and support students in meaningful ways every day, and the work they do is not only vital to student success, but also incredibly demanding. As a district, we are committed to ensuring our educators have the support and resources they need to thrive in their work with and for your children.

When it comes to the bargaining table, negotiations that began in May are ongoing, including an all-day session today, with plans to continue through the weekend if necessary. Collectively, district and MEA representatives will be diligently working – day and night – to reach an agreement as to not impact the start of the school year. It is important that an agreement prioritizes the well-being of our students, respects the needs of our educators, and honors the trust our community places in us to be responsible stewards of your tax dollars.

You may have seen recent news coverage of MEA rallies, and last night, MEA membership voted to authorize the possibility of a work stoppage should an agreement not be reached before the first day of school—Tuesday, September 2.

While this means the possibility of a strike has now been authorized by MEA membership, our priorities remain focused on working through the remaining items at issue, arriving at an agreement and moving ahead with the school year as scheduled.

We know that the potential for a work stoppage brings real concern for families who depend on schools not just for education, but for structure, connection, and support. We are committed to keeping you informed and will provide regular updates as negotiations progress throughout the weekend. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support.

Sincerely,

Travis Hanson
Superintendent

The average Mead School District teacher earns approximately $103,000 per year in wages (includes base pay and supplemental pay), which is the second-highest in the region behind only Spokane Public Schools. 

Mead School District's class sizes are consistent with or smaller than other districts in the region. It is important to remember that these are class-size maximums, and in many cases, actual class sizes are smaller. But here's where Mead currently stands:

*30 for classes such as math, science and english, and 31 for elective-type classes 

The parties have already agreed that teachers will receive a 2.5% salary increase for 2025-26 and an increase commensurate with IPD each year of the contract thereafter. The union has not asked for other base salary increases beyond that. However, many union proposals request increased stipends, supplemental contracts, training pay, additional days and case/class overload pay. The parties continue to negotiate the financial impacts of those additional pay increases. 

The district did not submit a proposal or ask MEA to give back the previously-bargained cost-of-living adjustment (IPD). Union members will receive a 2.5% increase for 2025-26 and an increase commensurate with IPD each year of the contract thereafter.

No. Public school employee strikes are not legal in Washington state. 

Yes. A work stoppage is not necessary. School could continue with current contract terms remaining in place, including a previously bargained salary increase of 2.5% for 2025-26. Negotiations could continue with students in school attending class.

Yes. State law requires 180 days of instruction, and the state will grant no exceptions to that law because of a strike. 

Yes. Coaches/Advisors/Directors can still set practices or events outside of the regular school day. 

Yes. Teachers will continue to earn their salary and benefits even though they aren't at work, in accordance with state law.

It depends. District administrative staff and independent employees will continue to report to work. All other employees will either choose to cross the picket line or not, depending on their bargaining unit. 

The District has been bargaining in good faith with the MEA since May. As of Friday, August 29, there have been 17 bargaining sessions, we have come to agreement on a number of key items, including wages, student discipline and behavior supports for classroom teachers. The parties continue to discuss important topics such as class size, workload and teacher training.

The answer is immensely complex. The fact is, Mead has needed to spend from cash reserves (its rainy-day fund) to cover rising costs that have out-paced revenues, including previously-bargained contractual obligations. In four of the last six years, the Mead School District has used these cash reserves to maintain the high-quality education and programs that our community has come to expect. The district is committed to transparency and openness about its budget. To review the entire budget or the Citizen's Guide to the Budget, click here.

The terms IPD (Implicit Price Deflator) and COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) tend to be used interchangeably. State language for school funding uses the "IPD" term rather than "COLA" when referring to annual inflationary increases. In fact, COLA isn't used at all anymore. 

Here's how the state funding system works: Washington state decides how much to increase salaries each year to keep up with inflation. They use the economic measure IPD (Implicit Price Deflator). The state then applies this inflation rate to a "base salary" it uses in its formulas -- not the actual salaries teachers are paid. 

For the 2025-26 school year, the state will give Mead School District approximately $81,000 per teacher in its funding formula. But the average Mead teacher actually earns about $103,000. This gap matters because districts like Mead give the inflation increase based on what teachers really make, not just the smaller state-funded amount. 

State law (RCW 28A.400.205) requires districts to pass along the inflationary adjustment money they receive. However, that law does not mean the state fully covers the cost. Instead, it means districts must use whatever amount the state provides, plus any extra money needed, to make sure teachers receive the agreed-upon increase. 

In 2025-26, Mead will get approximately $1.77 million from the state for the IPD increase. But the actual cost of providing the inflation increase to all teachers will be approximately $3.2 million. That leaves a gap of approximately $1.49 million. Mead will cover this difference with local dollars.