GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) remains committed to transparency and clarity in ongoing contract negotiations with the Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA).
The Board of Education’s proposal to the GREA raises the starting pay for teachers with a bachelor’s degree to a level that is 10% above the Michigan average, according to the National Education Association.
The district’s proposal also includes annual step increases for GREA members, compared to the prior contract where GREA members received a step increase once every three years.
The proposal includes an additional $4 million investment for the 2025–26 school year, resulting in an average salary increase of 4.5% for GREA members. Every GREA member would receive a raise as part of this proposal.
According to the most recent 1014 Bulletin published by the Michigan Department of Education in February 2025, GRPS currently ranks second among traditional school districts in Kent County on expenditures for instructional programming per pupil.
"My desire is for our educators to be rewarded for the incredible impact they are making every day," said GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby. "The current proposal puts us above the statewide average for starting teacher pay and provides raises every year. I know that more work needs to be done, and I encourage our state lawmakers to invest in education so that our teachers can thrive and continue to inspire the next generation of leaders."
On August 20, GRPS presented the GREA with a detailed reconciliation of financial calculations. The review found that the GREA was basing its estimates on the May 2025 staffing report, which excluded certain employees, such as early childhood staff who had completed their school year. GRPS is using the March 2025 staffing report to calculate expected costs, which provides a more accurate picture of staffing levels.
GRPS calculates the GREA’s counterproposal would require an additional $10.9 million to the GREA compared with the 2024-25 school year.
GRPS currently projects a fund balance of $14.7 million on July 1, 2026. Accepting the GREA counterproposal would reduce the district’s fund balance below the percentage required by the Board of Education and would trigger additional oversight by the state.
The district’s proposed contract language provides additional benefits for GREA members, including increased compensation for elementary teachers with less planning time than secondary teachers, fewer required hours for parent-teacher conferences, and a board-paid bereavement leave.
The reconciliation document, which also includes the full proposed salary schedule, is available here.
GRPS has been working with the GREA since April to finalize the 2025–26 school year calendar. On August 5, GRPS submitted its fourth calendar proposal and is currently awaiting a response from the GREA.
To help families and staff better plan, the district has instituted a tentative fall calendar and announced tentative breaks for the full calendar year. This calendar is available to view here. It is subject to change once the full-year calendar is finalized with the GREA.
