Juneau School District, teachers union declare impasse, agree to mediation in contract negotiations
- Mark Sabbatini
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 24
Joint statement cites "uncertainty around education funding from the State" as obstacle in talks
This is a developing story.
An impasse in six-month-old contract negotiations was declared Thursday by the Juneau School District and the Juneau Education Association, with both agreeing to proceed with mediation and blaming uncertainty about state funding as a key cause of the stalemate.
Negotiations began in February with the district offering an average 2.5% salary increase in the first year and a 1.5% salary increase in the second, plus step and lane salary movement for both years. It also flat-funded the district’s contribution to employee health insurance.
JEA, which represents about 275 teachers and certified staff in the Juneau School District, asked for a 10% raise each year and a greater district contribution to insurance. Educators also said during an emotional Juneau Board of Education meeting in May that the district’s offers were getting worse rather than better as negotiations dragged on.
"On July 24, 2025, at 8:27 a.m. the Juneau School District (JSD) and the Juneau Education Association (JEA) reached an impasse in the collective bargaining process," a joint statement issued by district Superintendent Frank Hauser and JEA Past President Chris Heidemann notes. "Since February 2025, JSD and JEA have been meeting regularly to negotiate a successor agreement. One of the obstacles in the negotiations process has been the uncertainty around education funding from the State."
"As the next step in the process, the parties have agreed to move forward with mediation and continue to be committed to reaching a successor agreement."
The announcement comes three weeks before the first day of school and nine days before the Alaska Legislature is scheduled to begin a special session that may include an attempt to override a veto of education funding by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. He vetoed $200 of a $700 increase in per-pupil funding the Legislature passed by a 46-14 vote — one more than the 45 votes necessary for a budget item override.
The governor has asked Republicans to stay away during the first five days of the session in order to reduce the chances there are enough votes to pass an override. But lawmakers hoping to restore the funds got a boost Tuesday when state Sen. Forrest Dunbar (D-Anchorage) announced he received a federal waiver from the National Guard for service scheduled during those opening days, so he will be able to participate in the session.
An impasse in Juneau School District negotiations was also declared in December of 2022, following the expiration of a contract in Juneau of that year. JEA members narrowly approved a new contract in May of 2023. It provided a 2% pay increase the first year, 2.5% the second and 3.25% the third.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
