Hartford teachers will get a 15% average salary increase over three years under a new contract that aims to reduce the pay disparity between city teachers and their suburban peers and address the district’s high turnover and vacancy rate. The city has said it will work with the district, which has struggled with chronic underfunding for more than a decade, to find the more than $19 million needed to fund the contract, according to a release from the district.
The Hartford Board of Education approved the three-year contract with the Hartford Federation of Teachers at its Tuesday night meeting, with five members in favor and two abstaining. The teachers union ratified the contract with a 98% vote in favor, according to the district.
In addition to an increase between $7,000 and $9,000 in new teachers’ salaries starting in 2025-26, the contract also shortens teachers’ workday by 30 minutes — from seven and 1/2 hours to seven, bringing it from one of the longest in the area to closer alignment with that of surrounding districts, the release said.
Three professional development days will be added to the calendar, bringing teachers’ total workdays to 190 per year and incentives will be added to reward longevity of service, promote recruitment in academic shortage areas, and to recognize graduates of the district who become teachers in it.
“I want to thank the Hartford Federation of Teachers, the Hartford Board of Education and the administrative staff at Central Office for working diligently in this collaborative and respectful negotiation to arrive at this historic contract. The improvements in compensation and working conditions covered in this agreement will help us to overcome some of the staffing hardships we faced in recent years. This is a reflection of our shared commitments to our educators and to providing students with high quality education opportunities,” said Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, superintendent of Hartford Public Schools.
Budget shortfalls this year led the district to cut numerous staff positions, pushing some staff to leave the district and increasing the workload and stress on those remaining. Many positions have gone unfilled, leaving some students without subject teachers, and the district has had difficulty filling funded positions reportedly due to low salaries compared to other districts. According to the district, Hartford is currently seeking to hire additional teachers and support staff in special education, math, speech and language pathologists, and paraprofessionals to reach full staffing levels. The district has employed a paid and social media marketing campaign to recruit teachers.
“Our Board is in full support of teachers and their continued development. This agreement sends a clear message to all teachers and aspiring teachers who want to make a difference in the lives of children. Come teach at Hartford Public Schools. We appreciate your hard work and your leadership in the classroom,” said Board Chairperson Jennifer Hockenhull.
Carol Gale, president of the Hartford Federation of Teachers, called the contract a step in the right direction in doing the right thing for students and teachers.
“We know that our educators work well beyond their contractual hours and go the extra mile in support of their students, thus the current conditions made them feel overworked and underappreciated,” she said. “The Union entered contract negotiations with the singular goal of improving staff recruitment and retention and these contractual changes help meet that goal by easing the workload with a shortened day and appreciating staff financially.”
Teacher positions will be listed on the Hartford Public Schools careers website immediately and will reflect contract improvements. Annual salaries for teachers with a bachelor’s degree in their first year will increase from $47,464 to $54,552 in 2025-2026, and from $51,761 up to $60,740 for those entering with a master’s degree.
“By investing in our teachers, we are investing in the future of our City and our children. The improvements in compensation and working conditions will not only help Hartford Public Schools attract and retain top talent but also demonstrate our commitment to providing our students and teachers with the resources they need to thrive,” said Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam.
“Council members have heard from teachers and students across the City about the importance of providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed,” said Council President Shirley Surgeon. “This contract is a positive step towards centering students’ needs and investing in the future of our community.”
