Medford School District 549C
MSD/MEA Bargaining Updates
The Medford School District (MSD) began bargaining with the Medford Education Association (MEA) in February 2026. This process, known as collective bargaining, is used to negotiate contract terms for the MSD-MEA collective bargaining agreement.
MSD is committed to reaching a fair agreement that meaningfully invests in our licensed employees while remaining financially sustainable for the future.
Bargaining Updates
Bargaining is in process. Click below for more details.
- Bargaining Update 9/16/26
- Bargaining Update 9/2/26
- Summer Bargaining Updates 7/14/26 & 7/22/26
- Bargaining Update 6/2/26
- Bargaining Update 5/21/26
- Bargaining Update 5/12/26
- Bargaining Update 4/28/26
- Bargaining Update 4/14/26
- Bargaining Update 3/31/26
- Bargaining Update 3/10/26
- Bargaining Update 2/24/26
Bargaining Update 9/16/26
The Medford School District and the Medford Education Association met on September 16 to continue bargaining the 2026-2029 licensed agreement. The session covered contract definitions, working conditions (Article 12), and MEA's third financial proposal.
Bargaining progress
MEA shared at the table that the pace of bargaining has been frustrating, and the District understands that. The changes MEA has proposed matter to our teachers and deserve careful attention. MEA's proposals include more than 100 changes across nearly every article of the contract, and working through each one thoughtfully takes time.
The teams have met 12 times since late February: eight sessions through early June, two over the summer, and two since school started. So far, the parties have tentatively agreed to 11 of the contract's 19 articles, including 34 substantive changes. Most of those changes started as MEA proposals and were agreed to over the course of bargaining, either as written or with modifications.
Three more sessions are scheduled: October 13, October 29, and November 4.
Working Conditions and Definitions
The District presented a revised Article 12 proposal that moves toward MEA in several areas, including staff meetings, combination classes, SIP meetings, and special education staffing and support. The District also proposed a new Behavioral Support Team process to address concerns about responses to student behavior and committed to developing language on students’ return to class following removal.
During the session, the District also shared elementary class size data showing five classes districtwide at the contract threshold and none exceeding it. Since then, the number at the threshold has decreased to four. The parties have since held a productive smaller-group discussion on secondary class loads that helped build mutual understanding and inform future proposals. The teams also continued discussing contract definitions, with the District once again proposing to define terms within the articles where they are used.
Compensation and benefits
MEA presented its third financial proposal, which includes a revised COLA:
- 2026-27: 6.25%
- 2027-28: 0%
- 2028-29: 3.75%
This totals 10% over three years, compared with the District's current proposal of 9.25%. MEA's proposal places more of the increase in the first year.
The District's priority remains putting as much of the available compensation as possible into the salary schedule, where every licensed employee benefits. MEA's proposal also includes changes to other benefits and stipends. The District will cost MEA's latest proposal and respond at the October 13 session.
The District appreciates the work both teams are putting in and remains committed to a fair, responsible, and sustainable agreement.
Bargaining Update 9/2/26
The Medford School District and the Medford Education Association returned to bargaining on September 2 for their first session of the new school year.
The parties continued work on several unresolved contract issues, including class size, class load, workload, student supports, and compensation. The District remains committed to finding solutions that support employees while preserving the flexibility needed to respond to different circumstances across schools.
The District also made additional economic movement. Its current COLA proposal is now:
- 2026-27: 4.25%
- 2027-28: 2%
- 2028-29: 3%
This represents 9.25% over three years.
The District explained that its priority is to place as much of the available compensation as possible into the salary schedule, where every licensed employee benefits. The District also noted that MEA’s proposed increases to the 403(b), HSA contribution, and insurance opt-out stipend alone would add approximately $1.3 million in annual ongoing cost, before considering other economic proposals.
The parties also discussed MEA’s proposed sick-leave retirement benefit. The District continues to have concerns related to pay equity, the use of sick leave when employees genuinely need it, and the unpredictability of the long-term financial obligation created by the proposal.
The District remains open to discussing how the COLA dollars currently proposed in the first two years are distributed.
Significant differences remain, but the District will continue working toward a fair, responsible, and sustainable agreement as bargaining continues.
MEA Proposal (To be linked)
Summer Bargaining Updates 7/14/26 & 7/22/26
The Medford School District and the Medford Education Association continued contract negotiations over the summer, meeting on July 14 and July 22 to work through remaining issues. The District appreciates the Association’s willingness to meet during the summer and continue working toward an agreement.
The sessions included discussion of compensation, academic freedom, combination classes, special education, employee rights, class size, class load, workload, and other working conditions. The parties made progress in some areas while identifying others that require additional discussion.
The parties also revisited portions of Article 6 that the District understood had previously been narrowed through verbal discussions. As the parties worked to document their shared understanding in contract language, differences in interpretation became apparent, requiring additional clarification and bargaining. Article 12 also remained an important area of discussion, including class size, class load, workload, and related working conditions.
The parties made progress in other areas, including reaching a tentative agreement on Article 18.
On July 22, the District proposed a written commitment to reconvene the joint evaluation committee early in the school year to continue collaborative work related to curriculum and academic freedom. The District believes some of these concerns can be addressed effectively through ongoing collaboration among educators and instructional leaders.
Compensation also remained a significant part of the discussions. MEA’s proposal included COLA increases of 4.5% in 2026-27, 4.5% in 2027-28, and 3.5% in 2028-29, along with proposed increases to 403(b) and HSA contributions, the insurance opt-out stipend, longevity pay, and sick-leave payout. At the conclusion of the summer sessions, the District’s COLA proposal was 4.25% in 2026-27, 2% in 2027-28, and 2.5% in 2028-29.
While the parties did not reach a complete agreement during the summer, the sessions helped document areas of progress and clarify remaining items. The District looks forward to resuming discussions this fall and continuing to work toward an agreement that recognizes the contributions of employees while supporting students and the long-term success of the District.
Bargaining Update 6/2/26
The Medford School District and the Medford Education Association met today for a scheduled bargaining session.
The District entered the session prepared and hopeful that the parties could reach a full tentative agreement. To support that goal, the District increased its proposed cost-of-living adjustment to 4.25% in 2026-2027, 2% in 2027-2028, and 2.5% in 2028-2029, with the hope of settling the contract and having a COLA in place for educators before June 30.
Although a full agreement was not reached today, the session was productive and reflected continued positive momentum. The parties reached tentative agreements on Article 2, Article 7, and Article 10. These tentative agreements are important steps forward and build on the progress already made in this bargaining process.
The District and MEA also agreed to continue bargaining this summer, with additional sessions scheduled for July 14 and July 22.
The District remains focused on reaching a fair, responsible, and sustainable agreement that provides clarity for employees, supports educators, serves students, and allows the District to plan confidently for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond. We appreciate the time, preparation, and continued engagement of both bargaining teams and look forward to continuing the work in July.
The Medford School District team includes: Michael Campbell (Executive Director of Human Resources), Kirk Kolb (Executive Director of Teaching and Learning), Charity Macleod (Principal), Brent (Mac) McConaghy (Assistant Director of Special Education), Marie Dudgeon (Assistant Director of Human Resources), Peggy Stock (District Consultant), and Angela Zbikowski (School Board Director). The Medford Education Association team includes: Jessica Fitzsimmons, Lisa North, Tim Karrick, Damien Hurley, Paul Cynar, Charity Malcolm, and UniServe Representative Daniel Burdis.
Article 10 Tentative Agreement
Bargaining Update 5/21/26
The District and Association met for an all day bargaining session on May 21st at the OEA offices in Medford. The District presented counterproposals for articles 5 (Grievance) and 7 (Vacancies and Transfers).
The Association presented counterproposals for article 10 (Leaves of Absence),and 12 (Working Conditions).
During the meeting, the teams reached a Tentative Agreement on Article 5 (Grievance).
The association presented a counter proposal for Article 7, and District presented a verbal counter proposal for Article 10. The teams also discussed the Association’s previous counter proposal for Article 2.
Another all day session is scheduled for Jun 2, 2026 at the Medford Biddle Offices.
MEA Counterproposal article 10
MEA Counterproposal article 12
Bargaining Update 5/12/26
The District and Association met on May 12th at the Oakdale Large Group Room. The District presented counterproposals for articles 2 (Management Rights) and 10 (Leaves of Absence).
The Association presented counterproposals for articles 5 (Grievance process), 7 (Vacancies and Transfers), 16 (Extra Compensation) and 18 (Joint Committees)
The two teams reached a tentative agreement on article 8.
MEA Counterproposal article 16
MSD Counterproposal article 10
Two additional all day sessions have been scheduled. These are scheduled for May 21st at the OEA offices and June 2nd at the Biddle Conference Room.
Bargaining Update 4/28/26
The district and the association met on April 28 at the Oregon Education Association Office. The district presented counterproposals for Articles 5 (Grievance), 7 (Transfers and Vacancies), 8 (Layoff & Recall), 9 (School Calendar), 16 (Extra Compensation), and 18 (Joint Committees).
The association presented counterproposals for Articles 2 (Recognition), 4 (Association Rights and Responsibilities), 10 (Leaves of Absence), and 13 (Insurance Benefits).
Through a very collaborative process, the two teams reached tentative agreements on articles 4 and 9.
MSD Counterproposal Articles 7/16/18
MSD Counterproposal Articles 5/8/9
MEA Counterproposal Article 10:
The district and the association will meet again on May 12 at Oakdale Middle School. The parties also discussed scheduling additional sidebars in which subject matter experts can continue working through the language on select articles.
Bargaining Update 4/14/26
The district and the association met on April 14 at Oakdale Middle School. The district presented counterproposals for Articles 2 (Recognition), 4 (Association Rights and Responsibilities), 10 (Leaves of Absence), and 13 (Insurance Benefits). The association presented counterproposals for Articles 5 (Grievance), 8 (Layoff & Recall), 9 (School Calendar), and 18 (Joint Committees), as well as a first proposal for Article 12 (Working Conditions).
MSD Counterproposal: Click Here
MEA Counterproposal:
The district and the association will meet again on April 28th at the OEA Offices. At that session, both parties will present their counter proposals for the articles shared on April 14th. The parties also discussed scheduling sidebars where subject matter experts can work through language on specific topics within the next two weeks.
Bargaining Update 3/31/26
The district and the association met on March 31 at the OEA offices. The district presented counterproposals for Articles 5 (Grievance), 8 (Layoff & Recall), 9 (School Calendar), and 18 (Joint Committees). The association presented counterproposals for Articles 6 (Member Rights), 10 (Leaves of Absence), 13 (Insurance Benefits), and 14 (Retirement Benefits).
MSD Counterproposal: Click Here
MEA Counterproposal:
The district and the association will meet again on April 14th at Oakdale Middle School. At that session, the District will provide responses to Articles 2 (Recognition), 4 (Association Rights and Responsibilities), 10 (Leaves of Absence), and 13 (Insurance Benefits). The association will bring responses to Articles 5 (Grievance), 8 (Layoff & Recall), 9 (School Calendar), and 18 (Joint Committees).
The district and association also agreed to discuss Article 12 (Working Conditions) at the next meeting.
All bargaining updates can be found on our website.
Bargaining Update 3/10/26
Licensed Staff and Administration,
The district and the association met last night at Oakdale Middle School and reached tentative agreements on Articles 1 (Contract Conditions), 15 (Job Sharing), and 17 (Continuing Professional Development).
The district presented counterproposals for Articles 10 (Leaves of Absence), 13 (Insurance Benefits), and 14 (Retirement Benefits), and the association presented counterproposals for Articles 2 (Recognition), 8 (Layoff and Recall), and 9 (School Calendar). The parties also discussed the definitions in Article 3 and agreed to move those definitions back into their respective articles.
The session was productive and collaborative. In responding to financial proposals within several articles, the district expressed an interest in focusing available resources on the upcoming COLA discussion.
The district and the association will meet again on March 31st at the OEA offices. At that session, the District will present counterproposals for Articles 5 (Grievance), 8, 9 and 18 (Joint Committees), and the association will bring responses to Articles 10,13, and 14.
All bargaining updates can be found on our website.
MSD Bargaining Team
Bargaining Update 2/24/26
Summary of Meeting
The session began by introducing team members. The Medford School District team includes: Michael Campbell (Executive Director of Human Resources), Kirk Kolb (Executive Director of Teaching and Learning), Charity Macleod (Principal), Brent (Mac) McConaghy (Assistant Director of Special Education), Marie Dudgeon (Assistant Director of Human Resources), Peggy Stock (District Consultant), and Angela Zbikowski (School Board Director). The Medford Education Association team includes: Jessica Fitzsimmons, Lisa North, Tim Karrick, Damien Hurley, Paul Cynar, Charity Malcolm, and UniServe Representative Daniel Burdis.
In addition to exchanging initial proposals, the teams agreed to add May 12 as an additional bargaining date and discussed next steps for the March 10 meeting.
Our next five meeting dates are: March 10th, March 31st, April 14th, April 28th, and May 12th. We look forward to continued conversation and collaboration as we move through the bargaining process.