Allentown, PA –September 18, 2025 – At its regular School Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Allentown School District unanimously approved new three-year agreements for three critical employee groups: Administrative Employees, Administrative Assistants, and Cafeteria Managers. These contracts reflect the District’s commitment to investing in its employees while remaining fiscally responsible and competitive with neighboring school systems, marking a significant step in the District’s broader effort to foster consistency and sustainability in its employee compensation strategy.
The new agreements, effective through the 2027–2028 school year, include modest but meaningful compensation increases, updated benefit structures, and performance-based pay systems that align with the District’s strategic goals.
“These new contracts reflect our deep appreciation for their work and our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent to our learning community,” said Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent and CEO of the Allentown School District. “Our cafeteria managers, administrative assistants, and school/department leaders play essential roles in advancing student achievement, maintaining smooth operations, and creating welcoming environments for our students.”
The new agreements were the result of months of constructive dialogue between District leadership and representatives from the bargaining units representing administrative staff, administrative assistants, and cafeteria managers. All parties demonstrated a shared commitment to reaching fiscally responsible agreements that recognize employee value, performance, and competitiveness in the regional job market.
Highlights of the Agreements
Administrative Employees
- A three-year contract through the 2027–2028 school year
- Adjusted salary ranges to align with regional market standards
- Annual 3% performance-based salary increases
- Increased employee healthcare contributions
Administrative Assistants
- A three-year contract through the 2027–2028 school year
- Elimination of mandatory step increases in favor of flexible salary ranges
- Annual 3% performance-based salary increases
- Increased employee healthcare contributions
Cafeteria Managers
- A three-year contract through the 2027–2028 school year
- Salary increases ranging from 3% to 5% based on competitiveness with peer districts
- Increased employee healthcare contributions
“These agreements were the result of thoughtful collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence,” said Richard Fazio, Interim CFO of the Allentown School District. “By updating salary structures and tying growth to performance, we are building a culture where every employee feels valued and empowered to succeed. I want to thank our employee representatives and bargaining unit leaders for their collaboration throughout this process. Together, we have built agreements that reflect our shared priorities: students, stability, and staff success.”
The agreements go into effect retroactively and will remain active through the end of the 2027–2028 school year. Performance evaluation frameworks and updated healthcare contribution details will be communicated to impacted employees in the coming weeks.
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