Washington Teachers’ Union Approves New Five-Year Contract with DC Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Educators in the District of Columbia have voted decisively in favor of a new five-year contract with the District of Columbia Public Schools, according to an announcement from the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU). The agreement is expected to enhance both working conditions for teachers and learning environments for students.

WTU President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons highlighted the contract's significance, stating, “The five-year contract provides a fair compensation package and important provisions that should help alleviate some of the challenging conditions that have frustrated educators and inhibited recruitment and retention.”

The contract introduces several key provisions. It enhances the sick leave bank system, allowing educators to maintain up to 10 sick days while participating in the maternity/paternity leave bank. Teachers will receive wellness days and four non-teaching morning blocks weekly for lesson preparation and planning. Additionally, the agreement ensures a fairer workload distribution for related-service providers like social workers and equips athletic trainers with necessary resources for student athlete safety.

Regarding salary adjustments, educators will receive a 4 percent bonus for the previous year, compensating for the period under an expired contract. Salary increases will follow: a 2 percent raise for FY2025, 3 percent for FY2026 and FY2027, and 4 percent for FY2028. By the end of FY2028, new teachers will earn $71,320, with the average salary rising to $117,684 and top-tier teachers receiving $147,431.

AFT President Randi Weingarten expressed approval of the contract, acknowledging its benefits while emphasizing the need for revising the teacher evaluation system. “I’m glad the WTU educators embraced this contract, which not only has pay increases but addresses conditions that educators need to support their students and support their own families. WTU President Pogue Lyons and her bargaining team deserve thanks for being relentless in sweating the small stuff and Mayor Bowser for listening.”

Weingarten continued, “We know, however, that our work is not finished. We will keep fighting to change the IMPACT evaluation system, which educators know does not work. A 2021 American University study on the IMPACT evaluation system confirmed this.”

“IMPACT is a relic of Michelle Rhee’s administration nearly two decades ago. Evaluation systems must support teaching and learning, be aligned with what students need to know and do in the 21st century and what educators need to do to make that happen. We don’t need a continuation of a top-down, high-stakes, test-based era,” Weingarten said.

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.