Lehighton Area School District’s board of directors unanimously approved a three-year contract with its teachers’ union Monday night, with the new pact running through Aug. 31, 2026.

The contract with the Lehighton Area Education Association, which will be retroactive to Sept. 1, calls for a brand-new teacher with a bachelor’s degree at “Step 1” to make $50,385 in 2023-24, $51,804 in 2024-25 and $53,035 in 2025-26.

“I want to thank the district’s negotiating team and the teachers for working toward this agreement,” Superintendent Dr. Christina Fish said. “There was a lot of discussion on both sides and I think the outcome is something that is fair for everyone.”

Credit for long-term substitute service outside of the district will be given in the new contract in accordance with the calculations controlling step movement.

The new formula for determining step placement on the salary scale, including credit for out-of-state service, will be applied to all currently employed bargaining unit members. No bargaining unit member will be reduced in step as a result of the implementation of this process.

Under the new formula, the number of years of certificated service of a newly hired employee is determined, that number will be reduced by three years of service, with placement on a step where an individual with the same years of service at the Lehighton Area School District would be on the salary schedule.

Competitive salaries have been the focus of many local unions when sitting down at the negotiating table with school boards.

The average starting salary for Pennsylvania teachers during the 2020-21 school year was $46,991, according to the National Education Association.

Palmerton Area School District recently approved a four-year contract with its teachers, calling for a new educator to make $47,743 in their first year, up from $47,000 the year before.

By 2026-27, that starting salary is set to rise to $55,000.

Jim Thorpe currently begins teachers at $49,676, while Pleasant Valley’s rate stands at $47,357. Northern Lehigh’s starting salary is $54,550.

“It’s no secret there is a nationwide shortage right now and this is a contract that I think will allow the district to not only keep the quality teachers that are here but also be competitive in the marketplace,” Mike Lusch, a member of the LAEA, said.

Health care remains largely the same with a $250 single and a $500 family deductible plan through June 30, 2024, when the deductible will go to $450 single and $750 family. A health savings account with a $2,000/$4,000 deductible will also remain available.

In the new Lehighton contract, longevity pay will now be available to teachers in their 15th year as opposed to 20 years in the old pact. Teachers will receive $500 at 15 years, $700 at 20 years, $1,500 at 25 years and $2,500 at 30 years.