“A huge win”: Caesar Rodney Educators Celebrate New Contract

WYOMING, Del. – Teachers, specialists, and paraprofessionals in the Caesar Rodney School District celebrated a major union victory on Tuesday night.

The Caesar Rodney School Board approved a new contract, raising pay and improve working conditions for more than one thousand public school educators. Union officials with the Caesar Rodney Education Association (CREA) say the new labor agreement puts Caesar Rodney at the top of Kent County’s best-paying traditional school districts for most classroom educators.

“This is a huge win for our union, our district, our students, and our community,” said CREA President Jared Lelito. “Public education is a team sport, and we are deeply grateful to the hundreds of loyal parents, neighbors, and community members who voted in February to fund a major investment in our students and our public schools. We also want to thank Superintendent Dr. Corey Miklus and his staff for keeping their word, partnering with our union, and bargaining in good faith.”

The Caesar Rodney School Board’s vote to approve a new, 4-year contract with CREA on May 12 came just days after union members overwhelmingly ratified the tentative deal. Board officials say the contract reflects their shared commitment to attracting and retaining outstanding educators while continuing to provide students with high-quality education.

“On behalf of the entire Caesar Rodney Board of Education, I am proud of the collaborative work that made this agreement possible,” said Caesar Rodney School Board President Jessica Marelli. “We are grateful to our community for their support and to CREA and district leadership for working together in a positive and student-centered way.”

Union leaders say the contracts raises the locally funded pay for district teachers and instructional staff by 14 to 25 percent, and raises the locally funded pay for paraprofessionals by more than eight to 10 percent. The new contract also includes added work time for special education teachers to process paperwork, increased tuition reimbursement for teachers and paraprofessionals alike, $250 stipends for retiring paraprofessionals, and enhanced collaboration between staff and administrators.

CREA officials say they plan to negotiate a new contract for their 80 represented custodians before their current 4-year-contract expires in 2028.