05/22/2026
After 325 days with no contract, Pontiac teachers OFFICIALLY have a contract. Make no mistake- we had to fight for every single line in this contract against a team of district lawyers- we had to have a walkout, a vote of no confidence in our superintendent and board (except Dooley and Miller), many board meeting actions, social media campaign, a lawsuit, and a before-school walk-in to get this win.
We finally get a fair payscale that is competitive in Oakland County, an average of 9.66% pay raise this year, and an average of 3.87% each of the three years after that.
We won hard cap class size limits at the secondary level and more money for class overages at the elementary level, 3 more days off per year, higher pay for substituting other classes, strong "just cause" job discipline language, more recess for elementary students, and teacher representation on district interview panels.
Special thanks to our negotiation team of Candice Ridley, Paul Sandy, Shawn Shivnen, Amanda Ziegler, Anne Nitoski, Cateisha Terry, Brenda Messina, and Jeannie Edwards.
This contract agreement happened because of the hard work, ideas, and passion from our teachers and community members. Thank you to everyone who spoke up for us this past year- let's make the Pontiac School District a world-class educational experience together.
When you fight, you win!!
Pontiac School District Board of Education Ratifies Tentative Agreement with Pontiac Education Association
The Pontiac School District has a new four-year contract with its teachers, approved unanimously by the Pontiac School District Board of Education on Thursday Night, May 21, 2026, in a 5-0 vote.
The agreement provides the District’s teachers with competitive pay and long-term stability, designed to attract and retain the best teaching talent in the region while keeping the District on a strong financial footing, so it can continue investing in programs, classrooms, and students.
This outcome reflects the unwavering commitment of the Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Leverette, and her administrative team to stay the course in the pursuit of an agreement that serves both teachers and the community.
This contract is part of the District’s broader strategic plan to build a sustainable, world-class school system that serves every student in Pontiac. It lays a foundation for the future, giving the District and its teachers a stable platform to drive real improvement in academic performance and student outcomes – and to build a school community that Pontiac families can be proud of.
