The Newburgh Enlarged City School District deeply values our teachers and the essential work they do every day to support student learning and success. 

We are committed to maintaining open communication throughout the collective bargaining process with the Newburgh Teachers’ Association (NTA). This page serves as a hub for accurate, timely information about the negotiations and the steps we are taking to reach a fair and sustainable agreement.

This page will be updated as new information becomes available. We encourage community members to check back regularly for updates on the collective bargaining process.

OUR COMMITMENT

Our goal remains the same: to work collaboratively with our educators to find common ground and ensure that any agreement supports both staff and the long-term health of our district.

Negotiations between the district and the NTA began in February 2025, as outlined in the NTA contract. Although the process has reached an impasse, both parties will now participate in mediation to help reach a successor collective bargaining agreement.

Ongoing negotiations don’t change one thing — we value our teachers and honor our retirees.

CURRENT CONTRACT STATUS 

The existing contract expired on June 30, 2025. However, under the New York State Taylor Law’s Triborough Amendment, all terms and conditions of employment—including salaries, step increases, and benefits—continue without interruption until a new contract is ratified.

This law ensures that teachers’ pay and benefits remain in place during negotiations, providing stability for staff and families alike. While this helps maintain continuity, it can also reduce the urgency for either party to finalize a new agreement.

"The collective bargaining agreement with the teachers, had a nominal expiration date on June 30, 2025. However, under the New York State Civil Service law, Section 209a1e, it extends all of the terms the contract until the next contract is reached, so there is always a contract in place. As a practical matter, teachers advance a step on the salary schedule. If they earn more credits, they pay for the more credits they earn up to a cap of $400,000 in the aggregate per school year. If they reach a longevity plateau, they get paid for longevity. All of their benefits, all of the emoluments of employment continue as if the contract was still in effect. And that has been the law in New York since 1981. So when it said that the teachers are working without a contract, that's not true. The contract is extended by law. What is different would be changes to the contract. Will there be an increase to the salary schedule? Will there be changes in any of the rights issues covered by the contract? All of that is negotiable. And the parties have bargained in good faith. There are no charges of an unfair labor practice that have been leveled by the teachers against the district or the district against the teachers. There are some deep impasse issues that have been placed before a mutually selected mediator who's very skillful. The parties met with this mediator most recently on October 3rd, will meet again on October 16th and the parties are committed to meeting to try to forge an agreement in the interest of the students, the school community, certainly the teachers. And also, it's important to know that this Board of Education's policy has not threatened to have the contract other than fully retroactive to July 1. So, it's just a matter of time. Hopefully that time will come soon." Mr. David Shaw, legal counsel for NECSD, September 30, 2025

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

TIMELINE

COMMUNICATIONS

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!