Pinckney Schools nears contract agreement; teachers to vote

PINCKNEY — Pinckney Community Schools and its teachers union have reached a tentative contract agreement that, if approved, would be in effect for the 2024-25 school year.

Members of the Pinckney Educational Support Association still have to vote on the tentative contract. The previous contract was in place for two years from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024.

Pinckney Schools Superintendent Rick Todd expressed confidence in late June that a tentative agreement was close and verified the completion on July 9. He's confident the agreement will be well received by teachers.

“We’re creating a great process for this contract,” Todd said. “It’s now up to the union for their vote. We’re in a good place. I always felt that we could wrap this up pretty quickly.”

Jesse Cogswell, the bargaining chair for the teachers’ union, provided The Daily with a statement that largely matched Todd’s assertion that progress is being made, but noted nothing is final.

“We are pleased to announce the PEA and Pinckney Community Schools have reached a tentative agreement that is pending a ratification vote with our members," the statement read. "More details about the agreement can be shared when the contract is finalized. We’d like the details to be shared with our union members first, which takes place at the ratification meeting."

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Cogswell suggested voting should be finalized by the end of July. That estimation aligns with Todd’s suggested timeline.

“I think we’ll know by early August and be able to move forward,” he said.

The district’s 2024-25 calendar won’t be finalized until a contract is approved.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of education bills in July 2023 that, in essence, expanded teachers union bargaining rights. Among other changes, the bill allows teachers unions to bargain over placement decisions, modifies the use of teacher seniority in such decisions, and makes it easier for teachers and school counselors from other states to work in Michigan.

— M. Alan Scott is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.