COVID-19 featured in this year’s contract negotiations between the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Catholic high school teachers, but didn’t prevent a new contract, writes Kristen A. Graham for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Association of Catholic Teachers members from 17 area Catholic high schools, including in Delaware County, voted 3-1 Friday in favor of the two-year contract.

The archdiocese included a proposal that teachers could be laid off midyear if COVID-19 led to significant enrollment drops. Teachers rejected that proposal. It is not in the new contract.

Teachers will get $1,000 raises in the first year and $1,200 in the second year. Small stipends will go to department head teachers and club moderators.

Health insurance premiums and co-pays remain the same.

The teachers make between $40,200 and $82,905, depending on experience and education.

Rita Schwartz, union president, credited teachers for not giving in to the COVID-19 provision.

“I’m so proud of my teachers for being so strong,” Schwartz said. “Losing teachers in the middle of the year just would not work, and it would not be a good thing for kids, parents and teachers.”

The contract does include pandemic flexibility like mask wearing and permitting teachers’ lessons to be accessed remotely.

Read more about the new contract here.

You Might Also Like                            

Delco Home to Two of the Best Catholic High Schools in Pennsylvania

Samantha Varano’s New Role at Ursuline Academy Brings Her Back to Her Catholic School Roots

Prendie’s Been Sold: Former High School Clears Another Hurdle Toward Becoming a College Campus