Recent changes to state law require school boards to bargain over topics that were previously prohibited in union contracts. Negotiating over these topics will be a new experience for many school board members.
School boards should resist reverting back to the outdated contract policies that rewarded union seniority above all else. They should pursue contracts that instead prioritize policies that improve student outcomes.
The Mackinac Center’s school contract database allows users to easily reference and compare PDF copies of past and current collective bargaining agreements from every district in the state.
The New Landscapes for Collective Bargaining in MIchigan Schools
Under Michigan’s new union-backed laws, collective bargaining agreements across the state contain language that could leave school districts at a disadvantage. This report reviewed the teacher union contracts in the 200 largest school districts in Michigan and will help prepare school boards for how recent policy changes will impact their future negotiations. It offers suggestions for school districts as they review their existing contracts, familiarize themselves with previously prohibited terms and negotiate firmly to preserve contract terms that prioritize improving teacher effectiveness and educational outcomes rather than reestablishing seniority-based systems.
Michigan School Officials Should Resist Backtracking on Obama-Era Reforms
In 2011, in response to President Obama’s Race to the Top program, the Michigan Legislature passed several reforms intended to improve the state’s public education system. These reforms were repealed in 2023 and replaced with new laws that will dilute the quality of education students receive, by reducing accountability standards and returning previously prohibited subjects to the bargaining table. This report provides rationale for the adoption of the Obama-era reforms and recommendations to help school officials develop policies that promote student achievement.
