ACPS and AEA Reach Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement

Joint release: Albemarle County Public Schools and Albemarle Education Association

📄Download the joint release (PDF)

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. — The Albemarle Education Association (AEA) and Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) are excited to announce that after several months of contract negotiations, the parties have achieved a tentative collective bargaining agreement.

In September 2024, AEA won the union election to become the exclusive bargaining representative for all licensed employees and education support professionals (ESPs) in ACPS. Following that election, each side put together a bargaining team and exchanged proposals.

The tentative agreement contains provisions related to paid parental leave for employees, expanded planning time for elementary teachers, a paid bereavement leave category, a partial payout of accrued, unused sick leave, and guaranteed annual salary increases. The provisions reflect priorities brought forward by the AEA bargaining team, derived from information gathered from the bargaining unit members.

“We had a wonderful team of licensed staff and ESPs that put in countless hours away from the bargaining table,” said AEA chief negotiator Tim Klobuchar, an English teacher at Monticello High School. “They helped put together and negotiate a comprehensive set of contract proposals to make ACPS an even better place for employees to work, which means an even better place for students to learn.”

With a tentative agreement approved by the negotiating parties, the document must now be ratified by the AEA union members and the School Board. ACPS staff plans to bring the agreement to the School Board for consideration in January. AEA members should expect to receive details about the tentative agreement.

AEA President Mary McIntyre said, “AEA is proud of the work we have done with ACPS to get us to this historic point—the first collectively bargained contract in ACPS history. Our efforts will help to provide safe working conditions and improve the economic sustainability of our workforce for years to come. We know that when we have strong staff, we have strong schools.”

Chief Human Resources Officer Dan Redding said, “We’ve established a great working relationship with the Albemarle Education Association, and together we drafted a CBA that prioritizes what employees value related to wages, benefits, and working conditions to further position ACPS as an employer of choice. We’re very excited to share this with the School Board and division leaders as we prepare for the 2026–27 school year.”

“We are committed to supporting a thriving workforce and ensuring that employees have what they need to do their best work,” said Dr. Matthew Haas, ACPS Superintendent. “This tentative agreement reflects the priorities of our employees and the thoughtful work of our Human Resources team, reinforcing our shared commitment to excellence for both staff and students.”

Media Contacts

Albemarle County Public Schools
Email: jgrant@k12albemarle.org | Phone: 434-269-7069

Albemarle Education Association
Email: albeduassociation@gmail.com | Phone: 434-282-2483