Budget committee hears details of staff contracts: certified 5% COLA for 2025–26, classified flat-dollar increases

The business director told the budget committee the district has concluded multiple labor agreements that factor into the supplemental budget for 2526. Certified staff represented by KCEA ratified a contract that includes a 5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025–26 and a 4% COLA for 2026–27, plus a one-time 1% payment in 2026–27. The director said the district will reopen financials for the 2027–29 biennium next spring (financial reopener only).

Classified employees negotiated a flat-dollar approach to salary increases that the director said was more equitable for the group; examples highlighted were a $1.50 base increase for 2025–26 and a $0.60 increase the following year. The director said classified members also receive a front-loaded sick-leave bank and one-year MOUs for mileage and housing stipends at Chiloquin and Gilchrist intended to help fill difficult positions.

Administrative, confidential and supervisory employees negotiated a current-year COLA of 6% and 2% next year, with similar insurance cap adjustments and a front-loaded leave bank; supervisors also received a phone stipend. The director flagged payroll impacts in the monthly run-up — for example, certain payroll runs rose from roughly $8,000 in February to around $34,000 when retro pay and payroll adjustments were applied — and asked the committee to monitor these costs as part of budget adoption.

The director emphasized these terms are reflected in the proposed budget and that the board will review the budget in public meetings ahead of adoption.