Following union organizing drive to join Boston Teachers Union, educators at Neighborhood House Charter School reach tentative first union contract agreement
Staff at Dorchester school make key gains for students and staff in first agreement, which will be voted on for ratification
BOSTON, MA – Educators at Neighborhood House Charter School, represented by the Boston Teachers Union (BTU), have reached a tentative agreement on their first union contract, marking a major step forward in securing fairness, transparency, and stability for both staff and students.
The tentative agreement includes meaningful gains that strengthen job security, improve transparency, and ensure educators have a formal voice in school decision-making that directly impacts student learning and well-being. Union members will review the full agreement and vote on whether to ratify the contract in early March.
“This agreement lays an important foundation for a school environment where educators are respected, supported, and empowered to do what they do best,” said BTU President Erik Berg. “By winning job protections, transparency, and a seat at the table, educators at Neighborhood House are better positioned to advocate for the resources and practices every Boston student deserves. We appreciate the school’s willingness to work collaboratively with educators to reach a fair agreement.”
The tentative three-year agreement, which covers approximately 147 workers at the school, includes:
- Annual wage increases in each year of the contract, helping ensure competitive and sustainable compensation through a clear and transparent salary scale
- Contract language that spells out expectations, rights, and responsibilities for educators
- Strong job security protections, including safeguards against retaliation for speaking up about workplace or student concerns
- A defined, fair process for addressing workplace issues, giving educators and other staff a clear path to resolve problems, including the right to bargain over changes to job descriptions
- Class size and student-to-teacher ratio protections, supporting more individualized attention and a stronger learning environment
- Formal opportunities for staff input in school decision-making, ensuring classroom and workplace expertise informs policies and practices
“This agreement is about creating better conditions for teaching and learning,” said science teacher Julie LaGraves. “With improved wages and stronger protections, educators at Neighborhood House can afford to stay in the community, build long-term relationships with students, and focus on delivering the high-quality education families expect and deserve.”
If ratified, the contract will represent the first union agreement for educators at Neighborhood House Charter School and a significant step toward long-term stability, staff retention, and student success.
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About the Boston Teachers Union
The Boston Teachers Union proudly represents more than 10,000 teachers and other professionals including school nurses, psychologists, guidance counselors, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers. Together, we advocate for the interests of students, parents, and education professionals throughout Boston.
We support investment in public education to ensure a stronger future for our students and our city. As a union of educators, we are part of a movement that seeks to improve the quality of life for all working people.
We are united against all forms of prejudice and bigotry that would seek to devalue the lives or liberties of our students, families or colleagues.