Members of the Durango Education Association and the Durango Educational Support Professionals Association reached a tentative pay increase agreement with Durango School District on May 12 during a meeting at the district’s offices at 281 Sawyer Drive. Negotiations began May 11 at the Impact Career Innovation Center, pictured. (Elizabeth Pond/Durango Herald file)
Members of the Durango Education Association and the Durango Educational Support Professionals Association reached a tentative pay increase agreement with Durango School District on May 12 during a meeting at the district’s offices at 281 Sawyer Drive. Negotiations began May 11 at the Impact Career Innovation Center, pictured. (Elizabeth Pond/Durango Herald file)

The Durango School District Board of Education approved pay increases and other terms negotiated among the district, Durango Education Association and Durango Education Support Professionals Association at a board meeting Tuesday.

Ameryn Maestas, lead negotiator for Durango Education Association, Laura Haley, also with DEA, and Diana Montoya-Scott, with Durango Education Support Professionals Association, faced the board Tuesday as the tentative negotiation terms were approved. Members of DEA and DESPA ratified the terms prior to the meeting.

This year’s negotiations, which were largely cordial and collaborative, were held over the course of two days in mid-May – a much quicker turnaround than 2025’s weekslong, and at times tense, process.

Maestas, who teaches at Florida Mesa and has two kids enrolled in the district, said negotiations this year felt effective and constructive.

“It was a really productive negotiation season, and (there was) lots of positive collaboration,” she said. “… After the voting process, DEA overwhelmingly supported that funding. We had one opposed vote – just a single one – so, overwhelmingly ratified in support.”

The terms

The agreement includes:Applying the 2% increase that staff received last year as a cost-of-living adjustment directly to the salary schedules. Applying a 2.5% increase to the salary schedules for Licensed Staff and Student Service Providers. Applying a 3% increase to the salary schedules for Education Support Professionals. Advancing employees on their salary schedules in accordance with the terms of their schedules. Providing a one-time bonus of $1,800 to employees who are employed at 0.90 FTE to 1.0 FTE. Part-time employees to receive prorated amounts. Establishing a new tiered career pathway for special education paraprofessionals, with future starting pay levels ranging from $21.14 to $26.50 per hour.

DESPA reached a similar consensus on the tentative terms, Montoya-Scott said.

“One hundred percent of our members voted on our ratification, and they were all very excited with what we accomplished this year,” she said. “We would like to thank Dr. (Karen) Cheser for participating as well.”

The agreement permanently builds last year’s 2% cost-of-living raise into employee pay scales; tacks on a 2.5% salary increase for licensed staff members and student service providers, and a 3% increase for education support professionals; advances eligible employees on the salary schedule; provides a one-time bonus of as much as $1,800; and creates a new tiered pay pathway starting at $21.14 to $26.50 per hour for special education paraprofessionals.

Board President Kristin Smith expressed gratitude to members of DEA and DESPA.

“Thank you all for the time and effort that you pour into your associations,” she said. “We appreciate your partnership.”

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