Kalamazoo Teachers, District Remain Without Contract
Contract talks between the Kalamazoo Education Association and Kalamazoo Public Schools remain in mediation with negotiations set to resume next week.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Should Kalamazoo Public Schools use its rainy day fund to give teachers cost-of-living raises?
The Kalamazoo Education Association and Kalamazoo Public Schools still have no contract settlement, and talks remain in mediation. Teachers and parents challenged district salary figures, and the board met in closed session with its attorney to prepare for resumed negotiations.
Why it matters
Trustees say they have little control over how much money they can spend on salaries, as state per-pupil funding this year did not keep pace with inflation. The dispute centers on whether the district's rainy day fund should be used to cover cost-of-living increases for educators.
The Kalamazoo Public Schools rainy day fund holds $42 million, while its overall fund balance is smaller than the Michigan average for schools. Trustees have not said whether any portion will be applied to cost-of-living increases for teachers.
The players
Kalamazoo Education Association
The union representing Kalamazoo Public Schools teachers, which is negotiating a new contract with the district.
Kalamazoo Public Schools
The public school district serving Kalamazoo, Michigan, which oversees the teacher contract talks and the district's rainy day fund.
Darrin Slade
The superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools, who has argued against using the rainy day fund for cost-of-living increases.
The details
Teachers and parents challenged district figures showing Kalamazoo teachers are among the highest paid in the region. Superintendent Darrin Slade argued against using the rainy day fund for cost-of-living increases, while trustees discussed that option.
Timeline
Thursday: Teachers and parents challenged district salary figures at a meeting.
Thursday: The board met in closed session with its attorney after the meeting.
Next week: Contract talks are scheduled to resume.
Season Trajectory
The Kalamazoo dispute reflects a broader pattern in which Michigan per-pupil state funding has not kept pace with inflation, leaving districts to weigh reserves against salary demands. Whether the district draws on its rainy day fund could set a precedent for how other Michigan districts handle similar contract negotiations.
Kalamazoo families with children in Kalamazoo Public Schools could see the outcome of this dispute affect classroom staffing and district budgeting. The decision on whether to use the rainy day fund would directly shape the resources available to local schools.
The takeaway
Reserve funds can offer short-term relief in school contract talks, but they also raise questions about long-term budget stability. Residents following the Kalamazoo dispute can watch the outcome of next week's talks to see how the district balances those trade-offs.
What happens next
Contract talks between the Kalamazoo Education Association and Kalamazoo Public Schools are scheduled to resume next week.
Further reading
Explore more on Administration to see how school district leadership handles budgets and staffing decisions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WIN 98.5 Your Country | WNWN-FM | Battle Creek, MI.
Live Poll
Should Kalamazoo Public Schools use its rainy day fund to give teachers cost-of-living raises?
