Teachers, district reach contract agreement

Taos teachers and other school staff will see a little more money in their paychecks this year under a collective bargaining agreement reached between the Taos Federation of United School Employees and the Taos Municipal School District.

In May, the Taos Municipal Schools Board of Education approved the agreement for the 2018-19 school year, giving all staff a 3 percent raise. “This raise will come over-and-above the newly increased tier minimums approved by the legislature,” according to a statement from the teacher’s union.

Francis Hahn, president of the union, said the bargaining process went smoothly, and both teams worked to quickly reach an agreement.

The 2018-19 agreement represents the first substantial wage increase for district employees since 2011.

“It’s a massive victory for district employees, and it shows what can happen when the district and TFUSE work together good faith,” said Hahn in a statement.

The average beginning teacher salary in New Mexico increased this year to $36,000. Under the state’s tiered system, a Level II teacher starts at $44,000 and a Level III teacher makes a minimum of $54,000 a year. The Taos raise will be in addition and includes other auxiliary staff.