Detroit Teachers Secure Raises, AI Policy in New Contract

The Detroit school board approved a new two-year contract with the Detroit Federation of Teachers on Tuesday, raising salaries and establishing guidelines for artificial intelligence use in classrooms. The contract, covering 2026-27 and 2027-28, benefits more than 5,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school staff. Teachers with a master’s degree will see their maximum annual salary increase to $100,100, while those with bachelor’s degrees will start at $57,400.

The agreement also addresses the growing role of AI in education, stipulating it should support instruction but not replace teacher judgment or be used for high-stakes decisions like grading.

The board also approved a contract for the Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees, which includes a 3% pay raise and retention bonuses. The district hopes the improved compensation will aid in both retaining veteran teachers and attracting new talent in a competitive market.