Beverly Hills Schools Finalize New Bargaining Agreement

Beverly Hills Unified School District officials and educators discussing the new collective bargaining agreement.

News Summary

The Beverly Hills Unified School District and the Beverly Hills Education Association have finalized a collective bargaining agreement for the upcoming school year. This new deal includes a significant salary increase, enhanced benefits, and new policies for paid evacuation leave and class size ratios. The agreement aims to improve educators’ compensation and student support, underscoring the district’s commitment to academic excellence and safety. The agreement is now set for ratification by the BHEA membership, following which it will require formal approval from the BHUSD Board.

Beverly Hills – The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) and the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA) have successfully finalized a collective bargaining agreement for the 2025–2026 school year, marking a significant step forward for educators and students alike. The agreement was wrapped up before the academic year concluded, showcasing an efficient negotiation process that involved all parties contributing to the collaborative effort.

Beginning July 1, 2025, the new deal will see a 4.75% salary increase for all staff, in addition to an increase in extra pay. The certificated hourly rate is set to rise to $66.46 per hour, reflecting the district’s commitment to fairly compensating its educators. Furthermore, the benefits cap will increase by $1,500, elevating the total cap to $14,750. This enhancement in pay and benefits underscores the district’s recognition of the vital role teachers play in shaping student success.

In addition to financial adjustments, the agreement introduces new policies regarding paid evacuation leave for incidents caused by natural or manmade disasters, ensuring the safety and well-being of staff and students during emergencies. For younger students, the class size ratios for transitional kindergarten through fifth grade have been updated, which is believed to enhance the learning environment.

Further changes related to counseling services are also part of the agreement. The new guideline will set counselor caseload ratios at 325 students to one counselor. This adjustment aims to provide more comprehensive support to students, ensuring their academic and emotional needs are adequately addressed.

Additionally, the agreement includes enhanced co-teaching language, which is intended to promote inclusive instruction and allow for more collaborative planning between teachers. To bolster the existing support structure for students, the addition of a second district librarian will provide further resources and assistance to both students and faculty.

This significant agreement demonstrates the district’s and the educators’ commitment to creating a supportive and effective educational environment. Rachelle Marcus, President of the BHUSD Board of Education, has expressed pride in the achievement of finalizing this agreement early in the academic year, indicating a proactive approach to educational challenges. Similarly, Katherine Warren, President of BHEA, highlighted the hard work and dedication exhibited by the bargaining teams during negotiations.

The Tentative Agreement will now move forward for ratification to BHEA membership and requires formal approval from the BHUSD Board of Education. This next step will ensure that the agreed-upon terms are officially adopted and implemented in time for the upcoming school year.

This agreement marks a pivotal moment for the BHUSD and BHEA, reflecting an ongoing commitment to enhancing educational standards and working conditions. By prioritizing both financial incentives and student services, the district is positioning itself to better serve the needs of its students and educators moving forward.