“It’s time to move forward.” After months of tension and false information, Mat-Su Borough school board votes to approve teachers’ tentative agreement.

After a weekend vote by the Mat-Su Education Association (MSEA) to approve a tentative agreement reached with the Matanuska Borough School District (MSBSD) last month, the school board voted on Wednesday evening to approve the contract, which will carry through FY 2026.

“I stand before you tonight with hope. Through give and take on both sides, the bargaining teams on both sides have come to a tentative agreement. MSEA members have ratified that agreement and tonight, I’m hopeful that the school board will as well,” said MSEA President Vicki Hewitt during a public comment period at the start of the regularly scheduled school board meeting. She also expressed hope that all sides can move forward after the difficult negotiations.

“I’ve shared my goals with (Superintendent) Dr. Trani that one day, the school district and school board, along with the educators in this district can share trust and work meaningfully together to make this the best school district in the state.”

“I appreciate all the work that both teams did to get us here. I’m very thankful that we can start the school year thinking about school, and not about contract negotiations,” said Dr. Trani.

The general terms of the key changes included in the agreement include a 3% increase in the salary schedule in FY 2024, again in FY 2025, and again in FY 2026.

Another key component in the new contract includes a transition to Premera Health Insurance in FY 2024, something that had been a sticking point for many who had spoken out at MSBSD school board meetings at the end of the 2023 school year. Many had wanted to keep their previous healthcare provider, the Public Education Health Trust (PEHT).

“The insurance piece is why the vote wasn’t overwhelming. A lot of people are not happy with the way this contract was imposed,” said Hewitt in an earlier statement.

The health insurance change was lauded by longtime school board member Ole Larson, who said:

“Once ratified, MSEA and the district will part ways with PEHT, and have found a transparent and accountable health provider. The district will now have access to identified data that will allow us to know for the first time, what our healthcare costs really are and, in addition, will allow us to provide a plan that meets the specific needs of our members.”

Larson went on to say that the new tentative agreement was “costly,” and that the district is committing money they do not have, and that his vote in favor of approval is only because of the change in health care providers.

“We are counting on one-time money for a recurring obligation,” he said, adding, “spending money we are not guaranteed is not fiscally sound.”

Other general highlights to the agreement included employee contributions for healthcare plan options, district contributions to a Health Savings Account for eligible employees of $5,250 in FY 2024, $3,250 in FY 2025, and $1,500 in FY 2026, and district supported supplemental retirement accounts for eligible employees up to a 1% salary.

While the contract was ultimately approved by unanimous vote by the school board, it was not without a measure of tension, as Larson addressed the tumult the negotiations had brought him by social media that he said often included unfounded, false information.

“I have watched and been subject to false information, accusations by members of the unions, and community members, lowering the bar of civility. I hope that, as we move forward, this is addressed and that future negotiations might take on a more professional tone.”

Larson went on to say that he had grown tired of listening to, and reading “baseless allegations and outright untruths,” and called it irresponsible conduct.

“I hope the next time negotiations occur that the unions realizes that students and parents are watching. Everyone has a 1st amendment right to speak, but that comes with a responsibility.”

While Larson did not say specifically what all had been said or written, he alluded to information that had been published that had not been properly fact-checked, and was meant to stir up an emotional reaction to sway public opinion.

“What is most troubling to me is that when you make a mistake, and we’ve all made them, and you refuse to meaningfully not acknowledge your mistake, or don’t apologize in a public forum, it creates more unnecessary tension and false information.”

“It has been a long and difficult road. Many things have been said and done on both sides that have caused consternation, but it’s time to move forward and begin to try to come together once more. It may take some time,” said Hewitt, who made a public correction at the school board meeting regarding a rumored pay raise to board members.

“Although there were documents alluding to a 27% raise to the school board, that raise was never approved, and therefore never given. I apologize for the error.”

She said that she made the correction prior to the meeting via social media and emails to all members, but wanted to ensure that it was conveyed to the public as well.

Larson clarified that a pay raise to the MSBSD school board was discussed, but the board decided not to give itself a raise, instead referring it to the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, which never brought the motion to the table for discussion or vote.

The next scheduled MSBSD school board meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 17 at 6:00 at the MSBSD Administration Building in Palmer.