North Hills School District, Teachers Agree On New Contract

ROSS TOWNSHIP, PA — North Hills School District directors have approved a five-year contract with the North Hills Education Association, the union representing the union that represents the district's 380 teachers. The union also has ratified the pact.

“This agreement is reflective of our fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers while also ensuring that North Hills School District remains a desirable place to work with competitive benefits and compensation, particularly at a time when there are fewer people going into teaching each year,” board president Allison Mathis said in a news release.

According to the district, the new contract is competitive with neighboring school districts. It includes a higher starting rate for teachers with fewer steps to reach the top of the district’s salary schedule.

On average, teacher salaries will increase by 3.9 percent annually with a lower percentage increase at the top of the salary schedule.

“Not everyone is going to be happy," Superintendent Patrick Mannarino said.

"There are things I would have liked to have seen differently, but that is what collective bargaining is, and when you are dealing witha contract that impacts such a large group, it becomes extremely difficult to take care of all of the needs and wants of every individual employee. It becomes extremely difficult to make everyone happy.

“As a whole, it is a great contract for our teaching faculty today and in the future.”

North Hills Education Association president Vicki Truchan said, “I am pleased that we have ratified a fair agreement that addresses the top priorities of our members.

"This agreement raises the starting salary for new teachers, eliminates steps on our salary schedule, maintains good working conditions, and gives fair raises to all while still being aware of the district’s finances."

The previous five-year contract was slated to expire in August. The new contract is effective August 24 through August 23, 2029.