đź“°SACO | Saco School Board and Saco Education Association Reach Agreement on New Teacher Contract
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
By Karen Garnett, Saco School Department
~Three-year agreement delivers a 16.6% salary increase over three years, places 70 off-scale teachers onto the salary scale, a starting salary above $50,000, a new 100% single health insurance option, and two additional professional development days.~
August 28, 2026, The Saco School Board and the Saco Education Association (SEA) are pleased to announce a tentative agreement on a new three-year collective bargaining contract for Saco School Department's teaching staff. The agreement is the result of a collaborative process that unfolded over many months, and both parties want to recognize the hard work and commitment that each negotiating team brought to the table. The contract reflects a shared commitment to supporting educators and strengthening the quality of education for students across Saco's five schools.
"This agreement is a win for our teachers, our students, and our entire school community," said Beth Johnston, a 20-year member of the Saco School Board. "More than anything, it honors the hard work of Saco educators. They give everything they have to our kids, day in and day out, and this contract says clearly that we see that work and value it."
Highlights of the New Agreement
A Competitive Salary Package: The agreement provides a 16.6% salary increase over the three years of the contract and raises the starting salary for a Saco teacher to more than $50,000. The starting salary of $50,000 reaches the state minimum salary for educators four years earlier than required by Maine law. Together, these steps position the Saco School Department to compete for talented new educators entering the profession while rewarding and retaining the experienced teachers already serving our students.
"This is a competitive salary package that delivers real increases for all of our teachers and moves our starting salary above $50,000," said Ann-Marie Ramsey, President of the Saco Education Association and the Association's chief negotiator. "Just as importantly, it preserves and improves our health benefits and our leave time. Those are the things that let educators do this work for the long haul, and our members should be proud of what this team accomplished together."
A New 100% Single Health Insurance Option: The agreement adds a new benefit for teaching staff: the option of up to 100% employer-paid coverage for a single health insurance plan. It eases a significant financial burden for educators and strengthens Saco School Department’s ability to recruit in a competitive hiring market.
"Increasing wages makes Saco schools even more attractive to candidates at every stage of their careers," said Sarah Truman, Saco School Board Chair. "Adding a health insurance option that covers 100% of a single plan for those who want it gives prospective teachers a real reason to choose Saco — and gives our current staff the security they deserve. This agreement recognizes their hard work and dedication, and we are proud to have reached a contract that supports teachers today and helps build an even stronger Saco school system for the future."
Two Additional Days for Teacher Training: The contract adds two additional professional development days to the school calendar over the term of the contract, giving teachers dedicated, unrushed time to strengthen their craft, collaborate with colleagues, and translate training directly into improved outcomes for students.
A Joint Effort
The agreement is the product of a collaborative process between the Board's negotiation team and the SEA — one that took time, as thorough contract negotiations often do, and included numerous sessions and exchanges on both financial and non-financial articles. Both teams worked steadily toward common ground, and the resulting contract reflects the priorities of teachers, administrators, and the community alike.
"This is a great agreement for the district and our staff, and ultimately for the students they support," said Jeremy Ray, Superintendent of Saco School Department. "These are challenging times for educators, who are asked to balance more needs than ever inside a single school day. Contracts can take time, and there are many competing interests to balance as well. This contract sets the tone for our staff and for the district going forward."
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