This update is provided for informational purposes only. It reflects the status of negotiations as of the date posted. Tentative agreements are not final until a full agreement is reached, ratified by ATA members, and approved by the AUSD Board of Education.
 

AUSD–ATA Contract Negotiations Update
May–December 2025
Albany Unified School District (AUSD) and the Albany Teachers Association (ATA) are engaged in negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement covering wages, benefits, hours, class size, evaluations, and working conditions. Throughout the negotiation process, AUSD has shared enrollment data, facility constraints, and preliminary fiscal projections to support transparency and informed decision-making.

Information Shared with ATA
To support negotiations, AUSD has provided ATA with the following information:

• Facility maps and facility use constraints
• Preliminary 2025–26 revenue and expenditure estimates (May 20, 2025)
• Major fiscal assumptions and enrollment projections
• Compensation and comparison data used to inform negotiations

Tentative Agreements Reached
The following tentative agreements have been reached. Tentative agreements are not final until the full contract is settled and ratified.

Article 8 – Miscellaneous Provisions
Removal of gendered language
Agreement to publish the contract on the district website within 45 days
 (May 13, 2025)

Article 21 – Transfer and Reassignment
Temporary teacher notification timelines
 (September 11, 2025)

Article 22 – Children’s Center
Updated language aligned to working conditions
 (May 13, 2025)

Article 23 – Evaluations
Establishment of a Joint Evaluation Committee Memorandum of Understanding
 (December 16, 2025)

Key Issues Still Under Negotiation

Wages and Salary (Article 11)
The parties have exchanged initial proposals and counter proposals.
ATA Initial - multi-year salary increases (6% for 2025-26; 3% for 2026-27; and 3.5% for 2027-28) and salary schedule adjustments for School Psychologist and Speech & Language Specialist positions. 
AUSD Counter - Two Options:
Option 1: A 1.25% salary increase and an acknowledgment that the increased cost of health and welfare benefits for the 2025-26 school year is equivalent to a 1.3% increase in compensation.
Option 2: A 2% salary increase, an acknowledgment that the increased cost of health and welfare benefits for the 2025-26 school year is equivalent to a 1.3% increase in compensation, and a cap on the District’s contribution towards medical benefits at the current 2026 Kaiser rates ($1,168.86 per month for single; $2,337.72 per month for two party; $3,039.04 per month for family).
ATA Counter- A 3% salary increase and an acknowledgment that the increased cost of health and welfare benefits for the 2025-26 school year is equivalent to a 1.3% increase in compensation. No new cap on medical benefits.
Status: Ongoing

Health and Welfare Benefits (Article 12)
AUSD has shared projected increases in benefit costs and proposed capping the District’s contribution to medical benefits at the current 2026 Kaiser rates. No agreement has been reached.
Status: Ongoing

Hours and Preparation Time (Article 16)
ATA proposed expanded preparation time for Specialists and Release Time Teachers working at the elementary level. AUSD raised concerns regarding staffing impacts, program feasibility, and cost.
Status: Ongoing

Class Size and Caseloads (Article 18)
 ATA proposed reductions in class sizes and special education caseloads. AUSD shared staffing, facility, and fiscal impact considerations.
 Status: Ongoing

Leaves of Absence (Article 17)
No agreement was reached regarding the use of leave adjacent to holidays.
Status: Closed without agreement

Memoranda of Understanding (Subcontracting and Artificial Intelligence)
ATA proposed additional restrictions related to subcontracting. AUSD raised concerns about maintaining operational flexibility and timely student services. Use of artificial intelligence remains subject to meet and discuss.
Status: Unresolved
 

The next update will be posted here.