New contract for Noblesville teachers aims to keep district competitive

Noblesville Schools announced Tuesday it has settled on a new two-year contract with the Noblesville Teachers’ Forum.

The agreement aims to keep Noblesville Schools competitive as the teacher shortage and salary increases by area districts continue to make recruiting and retaining top academic talent a challenge. Over the life of the contract, Noblesville teachers will see an increase to $48,000 per year for starting salary and sizeable increases for veteran teachers.

Hile

“Competitive compensation is a top priority,” Superintendent Dr. Daniel G. Hile said. “Despite historic increases in recent years, our salaries have continued to lag others in the area as those districts have also made significant increases in their compensation. Teachers are at the heart of what we do, and we cannot provide the best academic outcomes for our students without recruiting and retaining the best educators.”

In 2018, the community approved the use of referendum funds specifically earmarked to address the growing pay disparity between Noblesville teachers and those in surrounding districts. In addition to teacher compensation, referendum dollars are also being used for significant safety and mental health enhancements throughout the district.

Per state law, the district could not begin bargaining the contract with teachers until this fall, but salary increases will be retroactive to July 27, 2023.

In addition to the salary increases, the new contract also offers a new paid dependent leave for parents, holds benefit costs steady, and enhances savings for retirement.

The agreement covers the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years.

Teachers ratified the contract on Sept. 27 and the Noblesville Schools Board of Trustees approved it at their Oct. 24 meeting.

Noblesville Schools employs approximately 750 teachers and is the largest employer in Noblesville with over 1,800 total staff members.