Newark Teachers Will Get More Money, Extra Time With Students

NEWARK, NJ — A new, five-year contract between the Newark Public School District and its teacher union got an official sign-off this week.

The district’s deal with the Newark Teachers Union (NTU) – originally reached in May 2024 – was signed on Tuesday.

Paychecks for first-year teachers in New Jersey’s largest public school district will continue to rise under the new contract. Starting salaries for new teachers were raised to $65,000 when the contract first went into effect in July 2024. In the next school year, starting salaries will increase to $67,000 and climb to $74,000 by the fifth year.

District administrators previously said that the contract provides all NTU members with a 4.5 percent raise for each of the contract’s five years, plus additional increases for educators with master’s degrees/doctorates and those who have put in 35 or more years of service.

In addition, the tentative agreement includes salary increases for non-instructional staff, substitutes and hourly-pay employees.

Students will also benefit, getting more time with their teachers – about 7.5 more days of student contact per year. Students will also have 30 hours of additional tutoring time per year under the new agreement, school administrators said.

To assist in the district’s ongoing efforts to combat a national teacher shortage, the contract provides the option of assigning teachers to a sixth period.

Superintendent Roger León, Board of Education President Hasani Council and NTU president John Abeigon were among those on hand for this week’s ceremonial contract signing.

“This is definitely a groundbreaking event,” said Yolanda Mendez, assistant superintendent of human resource services.

“This is what happens when we all come together, work diligently, and keep our focus on the children,” Mendez said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.