Board approves 5-year contract with North Hills' Educational Support Personnel Association

The North Hills School District Board of Education has approved a new five-year contract with the district's Educational Support Personnel Association (NHESPA). The union represents approximately 100 support positions at the district including secretaries and clerks, computer technicians, support nurses, and certified and non-certified paraprofessionals.

Contract negotiations between the district and union representatives began last fall and concluded earlier this spring.

Highlights of the new agreement include annual wage increases based on newly established staff tiers structured around years of service. All ESPA employees will receive more paid time off with more vacation time and paid holidays for 260-day ESPA staff members.

The contract was approved by ESPA members on June 2 and by the school board on June 4. It will be in effect from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. 

The initial cost to the district is approximately 10 percent in payroll increases, climbing about 3.5 percent annually.

The district’s negotiation team included Superintendent Dr. Patrick J. Mannarino, Director of Finance Jerry Muth, school board members Allison Mathis, Dee Spade, Samantha Ellwood and Rachael Rennebeck, and solicitor Mike Witherel. 

Representing ESPA were NHESPA President Chris Nolan, NHESPA Vice President Katie Loughery and employees Amber Campbell and Stephanie Turkovich. Janine Yodanis served as representative from ESPA UniServ.

“I'm pleased to announce that we were able to come to an amicable contract renewal agreement with ESPA,” Mrs. Mathis said in announcing the contract approval on June 4, adding, “These employees are often the voice answering the phone, the reassuring presence helping a struggling student, the person solving a computer tech issue before it becomes a disruption, or the LPN caring for a child. They build relationships with students, teachers and administrators, and create schools where children feel safe, cared for, and able to learn. The work they do is not easy, and it is not unnoticed. It requires patience, professionalism, adaptability, and an enormous amount of heart. On behalf of the board and this district, thank you for the care and commitment you bring to your work each and every day. We see you, we appreciate you, and we value you.”

The full agreement can be viewed here.