On the eve of a new academic year, Philadelphia’s public schools narrowly avoided a disruptive strike as the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) and the School District of Philadelphia reached a tentative three-year contract agreement late Sunday, August 24, 2025. The announcement, made just hours before classrooms were set to fill with students and educators on August 25, brought a collective sigh of relief across the city, ensuring that schools would open on time and operate without the looming threat of labor unrest for the next three years.
PFT President Arthur G. Steinberg summed up the mood at a Monday news conference, declaring, “The PFT is thrilled that we have been able to reach a tentative agreement with the School District of Philadelphia on a three-year pact ensuring that school will open on time, as well as three years of labor peace.” According to Chalkbeat Philadelphia, Steinberg added, “This contract recognizes the hard work and dedication our members bring to the district and allows them to have peace of mind that they will be able to provide for their families while continuing to educate the children of the School District of Philadelphia.”
The tentative deal, which now awaits ratification by the union’s roughly 14,000 members and final approval from the Board of Education, covers not only teachers but also counselors, nurses, and paraprofessionals. While the finer details of the agreement have yet to be released, the broad strokes are clear: the contract addresses key concerns of the union, including wage increases, modifications to the district’s sick leave policy, and the addition of paid parental leave.
The negotiations were conducted under the shadow of a state budget impasse in Harrisburg, which has left school funding levels in limbo since the June 30 deadline passed. District officials have been operating under the assumption that Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget—with major funding increases for education—will eventually be approved. As reported by Chalkbeat Philadelphia, Steinberg acknowledged, “We’ll adjust on the fly if we have to.” The uncertainty added pressure to the talks, but both sides ultimately agreed to move forward based on the governor’s budget figures, with a promise to adapt as needed.
Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. was quick to emphasize the importance of the new contract for the district’s long-term goals. “Five decades of research has shown us — that highly qualified, well-supported, and stable teachers over time are the number one factor in accelerating student achievement, and as we begin the new school year, this contract gives us stability, clarity, and momentum to continue working in partnership with the PFT and to further implement our five year strategic plan, Accelerate Philly. We are on our way to becoming the fastest improving, large urban school district in the nation,” Watlington said, as reported by WPHL.
The sense of partnership was echoed by both sides. At a celebratory event at Edward T. Steel Elementary School, Watlington told reporters, “We’re going to continue to be partners with the PFT to do great things for kids. We are going to continue to work together to be the fastest-improving large urban school district in the country and we are well on our way,” according to WHYY News. Steinberg concurred, noting, “There is something for everybody. Not only did we take care of the economic needs of our members because they had to feed their families as well, but there are quite a few things that are good for kids. When we have programs that are good for kids, communities thrive.”
Still, the path to this agreement was not without tension. The union had been preparing for the possibility of a strike, and the collective bargaining process was, as Steinberg described, “adversarial at times,” but it “did not stray off into contentiousness very often.” In a nod to a more collaborative tone than in past negotiations, Steinberg remarked to Chalkbeat Philadelphia that the district’s proposals “weren’t as irksome as they usually are” and that “nothing that set a bad tone, as it has in the past.” Both parties credited a frank conversation on Sunday morning with breaking the deadlock and paving the way for the late-night agreement.
The announcement was made in front of a host of city and state officials, including Mayor Cherelle Parker, state Sen. Sharif Street, state Rep. Darisha Parker, and City Councilmembers Cindy Bass and Kendra Brooks. Mayor Parker, herself a former teacher, highlighted the city’s increased commitment to public education. She pointed to a 1% increase in the district’s share of real estate taxes and a new property reappraisal process, which together are projected to bring an additional $240 million to Philadelphia schools over the next five years. “That’s the way we affirm that we believe in public education,” Parker said at the news conference. “The way we speak and show Dr. Watlington and President Streater our belief and appreciation for public education is to send you all the dollars that you need. Yes, I believe that teachers deserve to get paid and should be paid what they are worth, and [that’s] why every chance we get to generate more revenue to help them, we’ll do so.”
Despite the good news on the labor front, the first day of school was not without its challenges. The initial phase of SEPTA transit cuts, implemented over the preceding weekend, disrupted the commutes of thousands of students and staff. More than 30 bus lines were eliminated, and trolley, subway, elevated, and Regional Rail services were all affected. With the state budget still unresolved, further transit cuts remain a possibility. Superintendent Watlington reported that attendance on the first day appeared to be down by about 20%, a significant dip attributed to the transportation woes.
As the city’s educators, students, and families settle into the new school year, the focus now shifts to ratifying the tentative agreement and addressing the ongoing transit and funding challenges. Both union leaders and district officials expressed optimism that the contract will be approved and that the spirit of cooperation will continue. “Once the details of this are released, I think everybody is going to be very happy,” Steinberg told WHYY News. “School will continue uninterrupted for three solid years.”
With the specter of a strike behind them and a renewed commitment to partnership and progress, Philadelphia’s public schools are poised to move forward—one bell ring and one classroom at a time.
