DOE teachers OK new contract
Hawaii public school teachers voted Wednesday in favor of ratifying a new four-year agreement with the state Department of Education, set to begin July 1.
Nearly 7,000 of the 13,500 teachers represented by the union voted, with 92% in favor.
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A final tally will be taken on May 4 to account for absentee ballots being mailed in.
The remaining ballots are not enough to sway the outcome of the ratification vote, according to the Hawaii State Teachers Association.
The new contract provides pay raises of roughly 14.5% over four years, with the average teacher salary increasing by more than $10,000.
It also raises the starting salary for teachers from $38,000 to $50,000 and increases state contributions to health insurance premiums, along with other changes.
“We’re happy to see the overwhelming support from teachers for this contract that all sides worked diligently on to elevate the teaching profession in our public schools,” said Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi in a press release. “The department appreciates the collaborative effort with HSTA, Governor (Josh) Green and his administration.”
The four-year contract will end on June 30, 2027.
