Colstrip Faculty Association

Colstrip Faculty Association The official page for the Colstrip Faculty Association. A source of news and information for association members and the public.

THANK YOU to everyone who has voiced their support, shared posts, and contacted Colstrip school board members! Today at ...
08/05/2026

THANK YOU to everyone who has voiced their support, shared posts, and contacted Colstrip school board members! Today at 2:00 pm we reached a tentative agreement for a one year contract. The agreement is pending ratification by CFA members and a vote of the school board.

We plan to keep this page active after negotiations are officially finished as a way to communicate with the wider community.

Thank you Brain Freeze for supporting CPS teachers! Stickers are available with each drink purchase.
08/05/2026

Thank you Brain Freeze for supporting CPS teachers! Stickers are available with each drink purchase.

07/27/2026

One of the most common questions we've seen asked is how the STARS Act impacts teacher salaries in Colstrip.

The STARS Act, passed during the 2025 legislative session, is meant to provide districts with additional funds in order to increase starting salaries for teachers. Districts who opted to receive STARS money must ensure that their base pay is a specific percentage of the average salary in the district.

For the 2027 fiscal year, starting pay must be at least 64% of the district's average and meet or exceed the base salary expectation set by the state. This percentage increases by 2% each year until 2030. According to our records, last year's average salary was approximately $62,758. The district's base pay exceeded the 62% required in the last fiscal year to receive STARS funding.

What is the money from the STARS Act supposed to be used for? The bill is structured to push that money toward teacher salaries in order to attract and retain qualified educators. However, if districts have leftover funds or meet the state required base pay percentage, the money can be used for other items necessary for the district's operation.

We do know that last year's disbursement was used to fix electrical issues at the high school. This was confirmed during a discussion between the CFA President, Vice President, and Superintendent O'Tremba. None of the money was put toward salaries as the dsitrict's base pay had exceeded the state requirement, which allowed the district to utilize the funds elsewhere.

We also know that the district receives a specific amount of funding per teacher under the STARS Act. This amount, according to MFPE, is approximately $3,000 per teacher. Beginning in 2027, additional funds can be acquired by the district based on student achievement data.

Our negotiation team is asking that, in addition to a 1% raise to each cell on the matrix, the district utilize some of the STARS money they will receive to provide additional $1500 stipends to teachers for two years. The 1% raise and additional stipends will impact all teachers, including those who are capped on the matrix.

What is negotiated during a negotiations year? Anything that needs to be updated or clarified in our collective bargaini...
07/20/2026

What is negotiated during a negotiations year? Anything that needs to be updated or clarified in our collective bargaining agreement, from personal leave to the coaching matrix. Both the district and CFA can bring items to the table, and these items vary each year.

Our negotiations team has worked to tentatively secure other items for our teachers, but let's focus on the salary discussion for now. Where does our ask line up with the approved raises voted on this year? For exact salaries, please consult the BoardDocs found on the district website.

In comparison, we have a small ask. We understand that large raises are not always sustainable. The addition of a $1,500 per year stipend for each teacher was suggested to provide a financial boost to teachers without drastically changing the matrix for future budget and salary discussions.

Please show your support for Colstrip's teachers.

2026 is a negotiation year, and the CFA negotiation team is working to secure a raise for teachers. We are asking for a ...
07/18/2026

2026 is a negotiation year, and the CFA negotiation team is working to secure a raise for teachers. We are asking for a 1% raise and a Teacher Retirement System (TRS) eligible $1500 stipend for two years.

There have been some questions about why we are asking for a raise when we already have steps built into our matrix. A step is not a raise, it is an experience-based incentive. A raise benefits every teacher in the district by applying a percentage increase to each cell of the matrix.

We can take classes, earn graduate degrees, and change lanes, but our matrix maxes out at 16 years of experience overall. Without a raise, teachers who max out on the matrix do not see an increase in salary until they earn 25 years of experience, at that time they receive an additional longevitystipend per year. In the 2024-2026 contract, the amount of that stipend varied from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on experience.

We value our teachers, they deserve a raise that helps them keep up with the cost of living. Please contact your school board members and let them know that you support the teachers in their effort to secure a 1% raise and $1500 stipend for the next two years.

07/16/2026

Welcome to the Colstrip Faculty Association page. This is a space for the association to share information about what we are doing to the wider community of Colstrip. Please note that no personal attacks or misinformation will be permitted.

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Colstrip, MT
59323

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