School Committee Approves Three-Year Teacher Contract Amid Override Uncertainty
Contract includes 2% annual raises for most teachers, with 3% increases for senior staff
BRIDGEWATER - June 11 - The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee voted 5-2 to approve a three-year contract with the Bridgewater-Raynham Educational Association teachers during their June 11 meeting, despite concerns from some members about financial sustainability.
The contract, which runs from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028, comes as both towns face override votes later this month to address a significant budget shortfall.
Committee Chair Rachel King explained that negotiations with teachers had been ongoing for two years, with last year resulting in a one-year contract.
"We have been in negotiations with the teachers, good faith negotiations with teachers for two years at this point," Superintendent Ryan Powers said during the meeting.
The approved contract includes a 2 percent increase for all teachers in the first year. For the second and third years, teachers in steps 1 through 13 will receive 2 percent increases, while those in later steps will receive 3 percent increases.
The agreement also reduces the teacher work year from 184 to 183 days and provides one additional sick day per year. Other changes include reducing elementary parent-teacher conferences and modifying how teachers manage their sick leave bank.
Bridgewater Town Council President Johnny Loreti voted against the contract, citing sustainability concerns as both towns face override votes.
"I'm looking at sustainability for our towns as we're both facing an override in Bridgewater and Raynham," Loreti said. "I'm looking at the step increases as well as the COLA adjustments year over year."
Loreti explained that when considering step increases along with cost-of-living adjustments, some positions could see increases of "upwards of 12 and 16 percent in some cases," though he clarified this applies primarily to teachers in lower steps.
"I don't see how the math checks out," he added. "I just wanted to explain that to some folks that are going to be listening at home."
Jessica Davenport also voted against the contract, expressing similar concerns.
"That's not because I don't appreciate our teachers. I do a lot," Davenport said. "Just with this unknown result of the override hanging over all of our heads, I can't in good conscience vote for this contract without knowing the results of that override and the sustainability of this over time."
Committee member Timothy Fitzgibbons asked Loreti and Davenport what contract terms they would have supported.
Loreti responded that he would prefer "raises along the lines of two and a half percent, which is how the towns have to operate with Prop 2-1/2."
"We probably skirt that up closer to 3 percent depending upon where people are in their steps and longevities," he added. "Anything beyond that is going to be hard to sustain year over year."
King defended the contract, noting that the committee has worked to compress the salary schedule over several years.
"I understand it does seem like it's a high percentage step to step year to year as they move up. That has been built in," King said. "After the teachers taking a 0 percent COLA last year, and with the class sizes and the amount of special education students they have right now, I don't think this is an unreasonable contract."
Committee member Michael Losche emphasized that the contract is below the state average for three-year teacher contracts.
"Looking at the state average for three-year contracts, it's coming in at about nine and a half percent right now," Losche said. "So we're well below the state average, which I think shows a lot of dedication and I think it shows our teachers' responsibility in realizing what the situation is."
Committee member Dan Gouthro supported the contract, noting that rejecting it could lead to mediation with potentially worse financial outcomes.
"If we were to not have a contract or reject a contract with a mediation, we might be saddled with something that is more, even more than what we've agreed to through a mutual good faith negotiation on both sides," Gouthro said.
King agreed, adding, "If we do not ratify this and we're forced to mediation, it's out of our hands. It goes to a mediator, and I don't know that they're going to be as concerned about our particular talents and our finances within the district."
Committee member Andi Hoy Thomas recused herself from the vote due to family relationships with teachers under the contract.
The final vote was 5-2 in favor, with King, Fitzgibbons, Losche, Conrad-Laberinto, and Gouthro voting yes, while Loreti and Davenport voted no.
Following the vote, Paul Conroy, president of the Bridgewater-Raynham Education Association, thanked the negotiations subcommittee.
"I want to thank the negotiations subcommittee for their tireless work over the last two years to come up with a not necessarily perfect but a working agreement that we look forward to using for the next years to improve the quality of education for our children," Conroy said.
The special elections for the override are scheduled for June 21 in Bridgewater and June 24 in Raynham. The School Committee has scheduled a special meeting for June 25 to address budget matters following the override votes.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of the Bridgewater Raynham Regional School District.
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