Albemarle School Board Approves First-Ever Collective Bargaining Agreements

New contracts for licensed and unlicensed employees include pay raises, expanded benefits, and other improvements.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Albemarle County School Board has approved the first-ever collective bargaining agreements for its licensed and unlicensed employees, following the passage of a new collective bargaining ordinance by the Board of Supervisors in 2024. The agreements include pay increases, expanded benefits such as paid parental leave and bereavement leave, and the formation of a labor-management committee.

Why it matters

The new collective bargaining agreements mark a significant milestone for Albemarle County's public school employees, who have long sought better wages, benefits, and working conditions. As one of the largest employers in the area, the new contracts are expected to have a positive impact on the entire community.

The details

The two contracts include a number of improvements for all employees, such as increased tuition reimbursement, six weeks of paid parental leave, five days of paid bereavement leave, and the formation of a labor-management committee. The licensed employee agreement includes annual 3.75% pay increases, a new salary scale for school mental health personnel, and enhanced planning time for elementary teachers. The non-licensed employee agreement includes 4.25% annual pay increases, paid 15-minute breaks, and clarity around temporary promotions and covering vacant positions.

  • The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors passed a new collective bargaining ordinance in April 2024.
  • The Albemarle County School Board approved the first-ever collective bargaining agreements on February 13, 2026.

The players

Albemarle County School Board

The governing body responsible for overseeing the Albemarle County public school system.

Albemarle Education Association (AEA)

The recognized entity with whom the county negotiates school employee agreements.

Mary McIntyre

The president of the Albemarle Education Association.

Kate Acuff

A member of the Jack Jouett School Board.

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What they’re saying

“We are thrilled for our employees to finally have meaningful changes in their wages, benefits, and working conditions that were entirely based on their wants and needs.”

— Mary McIntyre, President, Albemarle Education Association (Cville Right Now)

“Today is not the end of anything, it's really the turning of the page and we still have a lot of hard work ahead of us.”

— Mary McIntyre, President, Albemarle Education Association (Cville Right Now)

“We have spent the past almost three years negotiating the rules for negotiating, and then actually negotiating the contracts, and at the same time the General Assembly is looking at legislation impacting collective bargaining.”

— Kate Acuff, School Board Member, Jack Jouett (Cville Right Now)

What’s next

The Albemarle County School Board and the Albemarle Education Association will continue to work together to implement the new collective bargaining agreements and address any issues that arise.

The takeaway

The approval of the first-ever collective bargaining agreements in Albemarle County represents a significant victory for public school employees, who have long advocated for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. The new contracts are expected to have a positive impact on the entire community by improving employee morale and retention.