Lehighton Area School District and the Lehighton Area Education Support Personnel Association finalized a new Memorandum of Agreement on Monday night that increases the starting wage for support staff cleaners and provides retroactive pay dating back to December 2023.

The agreement raises the starting hourly wage for support staff cleaners from $12.02 to $12.52. According to the MOA, “Effective Dec. 18, 2023, the starting salary for support staff cleaners shall increase from $12.02 per hour to $12.52 per hour.”

“I’m very happy to see this,” board President Joy Beers said Monday following the vote.

Current employees making less than the new rate will see an immediate wage increase.

“Any person currently employed by the district as a support staff cleaner who is paid less than $12.52 per hour will recognize an immediate wage increase to that amount, which will be included in the payroll representing the pay period immediately following the execution of this MOA by both parties,” the agreement states.

In addition to the wage hike, the increase will be applied retroactively for eligible employees.

“Any support staff cleaner who was paid less than $12.52 per hour from Dec. 18, 2023 through implementation of the hourly pay increase … shall receive a lump-sum payment representing the pay increase,” the agreement states.

The agreement commits the district to issuing that retroactive pay promptly.

“Such lump sum payment will be made as soon as possible after the execution of this MOA by both parties, but no later than May 31, 2025.”