D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday inked a new four-year labor contract with the union representing 840 principals and administrations in D.C. Public Schools, guaranteeing them 12.5% in pay increases over the life of the contract.

The administrators, who are represented by the Council of School Officers, had been operating under an expired contract for two years. The new contract will also guarantee them supplemental pay and bonuses “in recognition of the substantial after hours work and commitment of CSO members,” according to the city.

“This agreement recognizes the valuable leadership and dedication of our school leaders, administrators, and service providers” said CSO President Richard A. Jackson in a statement. “Their perseverance in the face of the many school challenges, especially during the pandemic, has allowed our students and families to seamlessly continue to receive exemplary service. We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the mayor and our D.C. Public School partners and look forward to a continuation of our collaborative relationship.”

The signing of the principals contract comes amidst rising frustrations among some D.C. teachers, who have been working under a contract that expired three years ago. Negotiations between D.C. and the Washington Teachers’ Union, which represents 4,000 educators in DCPS, are ongoing, though earlier in the summer the union said a main sticking point was working conditions while DCPS Chancellor Lewis Ferebee said it was pay.

At a forum hosted by the left-leaning advocacy group D.C. for Democracy on Wednesday night, a number of the candidates running for two At-Large seats on the D.C. Council said that the city should prioritize finalizing a deal with teachers.

“Our teachers need a contract. It’s been three years,” said Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I-At Large). “If we keep saying our teachers are critical to our future… we need to treat our teachers with dignity and respect and give them a contract.”

In July, Bowser signed a new contract with the D.C. Police Union, which represents more than 3,500 police officers. Her 2023 budget, which was approved by the D.C. Council in May, also included additional benefits to hire and retain officers. Speaking at the forum, independent candidate Graham McLaughlin said he would want to see similar perks for teachers.

“We’re giving police officers $20,000 to buy homes. I support that, but I support that for teachers too,” he said.