From Orange County Public Schools
The Orange County Classroom Teachers Association (CTA) and Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) announced a tentative agreement on October 3, 2025, outlining salary increases and improved working conditions for the 2025–2026 school year. The agreement, which still requires ratification by CTA members, represents weeks of negotiation between the district and the union.
Related: What past education technology failures can teach us about the future of AI in schools.
Under the proposed deal, teachers rated as “highly effective” on their performance evaluations will receive a 4.01% salary increase, while those with an “effective” rating will receive a 3.01% raise. The agreement also dedicates $2 million to address pay compression among veteran teachers — a long-standing issue that occurs when newer educators earn nearly as much as those with decades of experience.
In addition to the raises, both sides agreed to maintain salary supplements for critical and hard-to-fill positions, such as special education and STEM fields, to help recruit and retain qualified educators.
Beyond compensation, the tentative contract also addresses several key working condition issues raised by teachers throughout the bargaining process. The new language includes provisions to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in instruction, ensuring transparency and ethical use of emerging technologies in the classroom. It also guarantees most teachers a 30-minute paid lunch break — a concern frequently cited in surveys about teacher workload and morale.
Other notable changes include reduced waiting periods for using donated sick leave, added language to protect teachers against unfounded student allegations, and the introduction of a 12-month pay option that allows educators to spread their paychecks evenly across the entire year.
OCPS officials said the agreement reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to supporting teachers while balancing fiscal responsibility. CTA leaders called the deal a positive step forward but emphasized that sustained investment is needed to make teaching in Orange County competitive amid rising costs of living.
Once ratified, the agreement will take effect for the 2025–2026 school year and will impact more than 14,000 instructional staff members across the district.
Copies of the full tentative agreement are available for review and download on the OCPS website.
