Our biggest announcement for this week’s column is that the bargaining teams for Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) and the Alameda Education Association (AEA) have reached tentative agreements [1] on the contract articles that had been opened.
[2]
During their mediation session on February 11, the two teams tentatively agreed to at least a 10% increase over the next three years. Those raises will be implemented as 4% in 2025-26, 3% in 2026-27, and a minimum of 3% in 2027-28.
If the state provides more than 3% in a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2027-28, however, the district will match that increase in a salary increase. If the COLA is more than 4%, the two teams will re-open salary negotiations.
Under the terms of the tentative agreements, AUSD will also increase its contribution to AEA members’ individual health plans 47% by January 2028. AUSD’s contribution to employee family plans will increase 76% by that time.
Altogether, the two teams have come to agreement on 14 articles, including leaves, professional dues, work hours, evaluation, class size, stipends, and transfers.
The next step is first for AEA members and then for AUSD’s Board of Education to vote on whether to ratify the tentative agreement. The financial terms must also be approved by the Alameda County Office of Education.
[3]Kofman Auditorium
The district is happy to announce that Alameda High’s storied Kofman Auditorium will open once again for performances in early April. Upgrades for the theater include new curtains (including replacement fire and proscenium curtains); new fixed battens (for hanging the curtains); a full-size projection screen and state-of-the-art projector; new balcony guardrails; strengthened balcony light fixtures; new stage lights, sound systems, and control panels; and a beautifully refinished stage floor.
In addition, AUSD’s Construction Department built three new dressing rooms to replace those that had been built beneath the stage and were not accessible. We are excited to see this beautiful theater brought back to life!
2026-27 enrollment open
Finally, we want to remind the community that enrollment for the 2026-27 school year is open for all grade levels. Information on how to enroll is available on the AUSD Enrollment webpage [4].
Susan Davis is the Senior Manager of Community Affairs for the Alameda Unified School District. Reach her at [email protected] [5].