The Juneau School District (JSD) and Juneau Education Support Staff (JESS) have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year collective bargaining agreement, effective retroactively to July 1, 2025. The tentative agreement succeeds the prior contract, which ended on June 30, 2025.

The parties began bargaining in early 2025, and have met consistently throughout the process to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

JESS is the District’s second-largest employee association, representing approximately 286 of the District’s roughly 600 employees. JESS members include office and instructional support staff, school nurses, and maintenance and custodial personnel. JESS is a local affiliate of the Alaska Public Employee Association (APEA) and AFT.

The tentative agreement includes wage increases across all three years of the contract. The agreement also provides for continued employer support of employee health insurance premiums.

In addition, the tentative agreement includes an adjustment to the work calendar for nine-month employees. Beginning with the new contract, all nine-month employees will start work two additional days prior to the first day of school, allowing time for district-wide in-service and building-level preparation before students return.

“This tentative agreement reflects the Board of Education’s commitment to recognizing the essential role our education support staff play in serving students and supporting schools across the district,” says Board President Britteny Cioni-Haywood. “We appreciate the collaborative work of both bargaining teams and look forward to the ratification process moving forward.”

The tentative agreement will now be presented to JESS membership for a ratification vote. Following member ratification, the Juneau School District Board of Education will consider the agreement for approval at a public meeting. Full contract details will be released as part of the Board’s action materials.