A Hidden Pay Cut: Keeping Pace for Our Students

Every family in our community has felt the strain of rising costs over the past several years. For Haverford's educators that strain has become a significant and unsustainable step backward.

Since our last negotiation, inflation has steadily eroded 15% of our educators' paychecks. Because contracts are negotiated only every few years, this is our first opportunity to address the substantial damage inflation has caused. This isn't about getting ahead; it's about not falling behind. 

What makes this 15% pay cut so alarming is that our Board is failing to respond while those around us are taking action. Many neighboring school districts have already recognized inflation's impact and have settled fair contracts to help their educators keep pace. This has eliminated Haverford's historic recruiting and retention advantage and put us at a competitive disadvantage compared to neighboring towns — a direct threat to our schools' ability to attract and retain the dedicated professionals our children deserve.

We recognize the economic realities facing our entire community. That's why we are not seeking to undo all the financial damage inflation has caused. We are simply asking for a fair contract that stops this financial backslide and maintains Haverford's competitive position.

Without that adjustment, Haverford risks losing the very teachers who are the foundation of our schools' excellence. The Board's current offer would cement a pay cut during a teacher shortage - the very moment we need stability and experience the most.