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Monroe County Community School Corporation Approves Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) Board of Trustees has approved a two-year tentative collective bargaining agreement with the local teachers' union. While the agreement does not include an overall salary increase, it does include a $1,000 stipend for teachers rated effective or highly effective, as well as a $200 increase in base salary for teachers who update their teaching license by adding an early literacy endorsement.

Key Takeaways:

  • The MCCSC Board of Trustees approved a two-year tentative collective bargaining agreement that includes a $1,000 stipend for teachers rated effective or highly effective, to be paid in two annual installments.
  • Teachers who update their teaching license by adding an early literacy endorsement will receive a $200 increase in base salary, or less if the endorsement is earned mid-year.
  • The corporation will continue to give higher salaries to teachers with master's degrees, and hourly rates for teachers assigned to instruct students outside of extracurricular activities and regular contracted hours will remain at $30, while hourly rates for teachers assigned to supervise but not instruct these students will remain at $20.
  • Teachers completing professional development work outside of regular contracted hours will continue to earn $20 hourly.
  • The parental leave for all teachers from rows A to E of the salary schedule will increase from eight to 10 days within the first year after a child's birth or arrival in the teacher's home.
  • The corporation will implement a 20% discount for teachers with children in pre-kindergarten through 6th grade at MCCSC schools for the Extended Day Program, beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
  • The agreement also includes new insurance contribution amounts from the corporation to account for increasing insurance costs, and a change in the retirement benefit matching percentage for teachers in rows A to E from 5% to 3.5%.
  • MCCSC top administrator, April Hennessey, stated that despite the limited financial availability, the corporation wants to support its teachers and provide the best possible compensation and benefits.

Statistics:

  • The average teacher salary at MCCSC during the 2024-25 academic year was $69,770, much higher than the Indiana average of $58,620.
  • Indiana ranked 39th in state teacher pay last year.
  • The state's school choice program gives students who attend private or charter schools public funding, causing public schools to be allotted less funds.
  • About 10 or more local school districts may end up in mediation this year, due to the lack of funding available.
  • The number of teachers leaving the state to teach because of low salary and lack of funding is significant, according to Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer, president of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education.

Sources:

  • The Indiana Daily Student (IDS) By Adelyn Rabbitt Nov 1, 2025 5:31 pm
  • The Indiana Daily Student (IDS) By Adelyn Rabbitt Nov 1, 2025 5:31 pm
  • Indiana Gateway
  • Indiana Coalition for Public Education

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