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MRHNEA/Collective Bargaining

We want to share an important update regarding the interpretation of parental leave outlined in Section 5.5 of the 2024–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Additional guidance has clarified that the phrase “days of paid consecutive leave” may now include the summer break. This means eligible employees may use their parental leave consecutively across school years, without summer break interrupting the leave timeline.

This reflects a change from past practice, which did not permit parental leave to extend across school years and included specific language to that effect. As that language is not present in the current CBA, this updated interpretation provides greater flexibility for employees using parental leave.

What does this mean for you?

  • If you begin your paid parental leave at the end of one school year, you can complete your remaining consecutive leave days at the start of the next school year.
     

  • If your child was born during the 2024–2025 school year (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025), you are eligible for 20 paid parental leave days.
     

  • If your child is born during the 2025–2026 school year (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026), the CBA provides 25 paid parental leave days.

Human Resources will reach out directly to all impacted employees, and the district will use this opportunity to clarify and strengthen the language in future versions of the CBA. The language is provided below for your convenience.

5.5 Pregnancy, Childbirth and Adoption Leave (2024-2025 CBA)

When a child is born, adopted, or fostered, the employee will be able to apply for Paid Parental Leave. This shall also be applicable to an Employee that becomes a court-appointed legal guardian of a minor child. The district shall provide twenty (20) days of paid consecutive leave not charged against the employee's PTO. After the twenty (20) days of paid consecutive leave provided by the district has been exhausted, the employee will then use any PTO, vacation, or unpaid leave to fulfill the FMLA maximum of twelve (12) weeks if the need to continue leave exists.

*Increased to 25 days in the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 School Years

MRHNEA Reporting Form

The Maplewood Richmond Heights National Education Association meets regularly with building and District administrators to share celebrations and address concerns. We represent all MRH employees in these meetings, regardless of your membership status in the Union, so I want to ensure you know how to reach us with concerns or celebrations to share. 

This reporting form slide has links to forms for each building as well as a form for people who work in Central Office or do not have a primary building. The forms can be submitted anonymously but we request you share your name if follow up is required. Please feel free to use the forms and/or reach out to the MRHNEA leadership (listed below) as needed.

 I will send out reminders in advance of our monthly meetings but the forms are available to use at any time.

Please let me or a Union leader in your building know if you have any questions! 

Annie Rothenberg,1st grade teacher

Maplewood Richmond Heights Early Childhood Center

annie.rothenberg@mrhschools.net

ECC Office: 314-644-4405

MRHNEA Executive Team:

Annie Rothenberg, President (ECC)
Rich McCollum, Vice President (HS)
Mindy McBride, Secretary (ECC)
Gage Dodson, Treasurer (ELE)
Bethany Nobbe, High School Rep
Jill Loyet, Middle School Rep
Amy Williams, Elementary Rep
Jenna Muskus, ECC Rep