Seneca Valley School District educators agreed to a new five-year contract with the district on Monday.

The new contract between the district and the Seneca Valley Education Association, which is retroactive to July 1, will run through June 30, 2026, and covers all 568 of the district's professional staff, including teachers, nurses, guidance counselors and librarians.

During the next five years, members will receive an average of a 4.2% wage increase each year, but will have increased health care deductibles and co-pays for branded prescription drugs.

Additionally, the association members will have two additional workdays.

Superintendent Tracy Vitale said she was glad the association and the district came to a resolution without a labor dispute. In February, teachers at the nearby Mars Area School District threatened to strike after having worked eight months without a union contract.

Unlike in Mars, however, the Seneca union and district were able to come to an agreement in about seven months after starting negotiations in January.

“We are pleased that such an agreement will allow us to focus on the vitally important work of providing remarkable educational opportunities for all of our students,” she said. “Our staff of dedicated educators is ready and eager to begin a productive 2021-22 school year.”

Union chief negotiator Sharon Bonavoglia called the contract a fair deal.

“We recognize and appreciate the dedication and time of the school board members to this process, resulting in this agreement,” Bonavoglia said. “This is an excellent contract, and one that we will proudly defend on behalf of our dedicated educators who have always showed unparalleled dedication to the students of this district and went above and beyond over the last 17 months during these incredibly difficult times.”