GAPS’ Best, Final Offer 10-11-24
Previous GAPS Communication
Declaration of Impasse by GAEA 10-4-24
Salary Comparison 9-27-24
Insurance Comparisons 9-26-24
Bargaining Update 9-13-24
Bargaining Update 9-12-24
Bargaining Update 9-5-24
Overview
In February, Greater Albany Public Schools (GAPS) and the licensed employee union, Greater Albany Education Association (GAEA), began negotiations as the union’s 2021-2024 amended contract neared its close. While the district and union continue to negotiate, the two entities continue to operate under the terms of the Licensed Bargaining Agreement. It’s important to note this remains an active contract that the district continues to honor when addressing potential disputes.
GAPS has approximately 600 licensed staff.
GAPS Financial Information
Compensation for GAPS teachers is the district’s first priority. The district has adjusted its budget throughout the last two years to focus on this priority. The document below highlights the district’s current financial information and the plan to build a sustainable budget.
GAEA proposes increases of over $21 million. In order to meet this 16% general fund increase, the district would need to reduce 201.5 teachers in the first year of the 3-year contract.
**As of August 15, 2024, the district has not received any updated proposals that would change this number.
Click here to view the presentation in a pdf.
The District’s Most Recent Offer – Aug 15, 2024
The district prioritizes compensation for all teachers, with an emphasis on improving the longevity step. Please note that the top scale for teachers in the 2024-25 school year is $91,266, which is a daily rate of $477.83 or an hourly rate of $59.72 for a 191-day contract.
Additionally, please note that the top step salary for 2025-26 is $95,384, a daily rate of $499.39 or an hourly rate of $62.42 for a 191-day contract.
Click the image below to see the current proposed salary schedule.
Below is the detailed district’s offer to GAEA. The table highlights the increase in compensation the new contract would provide to teachers over the three years this contract will be in effect.
| Salary | Insurance | |
| Year 1 (2024-25) | 6.5% increase 7.5% increase Top Step/ Longevity Longevity step added to BA and BA+24 | $1,598/month insurance cap -increase $50/month to $1,648 before pooling (note: 23-24 pooling amount was $1,887/month) Insurance opt-out benefit will increase by $50/month to $575 |
| Year 2 (2025-26) | 4.5% increase 5.5% increase Top Step/ Longevity | $40/month increase to cap |
| Year 3 (2026-27) | 3-5% increase, based on Western States CPIU 4-6% increase Top Step/ Longevity, based on Western States CPIU | $40/month increase to cap |
Upcoming Meetings – Mediation
On August 15, at the close of the meeting, GAEA informed the district that it intended to request mediation. The district has received confirmation that the request was received at the state and will plan to work with GAEA to participate in the process of mediation. The district supports this step in the process because we believe it will help both parties arrive at common priorities.
Mediation is the next step required by Public Employee Collective Bargaining. Mediators offer a high degree of skill at reaching compromise. The district successfully used mediation with GA-ACE in December of 2023 to reach a conclusion in contract negotiations with the GAPS Classified staff. The process of mediation will not disrupt schools and is a standard process between the two bargaining groups. The procedure is NOT open to the public.
With or without a mediator, the district expresses its commitment to get an agreement with GAPS teachers.