Farmington board approves three‑year contract with teachers union covering 2026–2029

The Farmington Board of Education voted on Sept. 15 to approve a three‑year labor agreement with the Farmington Education Association covering July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The agreement, approved after an executive‑session discussion on the FEA contract, sets salary adjustments and working‑condition changes across the three school years. The board motion to approve carried; the meeting record shows the motion passed by voice vote. Key terms read into the record included a 2026–27 increase described as “below max $1,000 plus step; at max $2,200.” For 2027–28 the package was described as “below max $1,200 plus step; at max $2,675,” and for 2028–29 as “below max $1,200 plus step; at max $2,850.” Working conditions in the agreement require three additional hours (six total) of in‑service training outside the teacher work day; three of the six hours must be completed as online mandated training. Board Chair Bill Bridal Beckert recused himself from deliberations on the contract and stepped down from the dais for that item; Vice Chair Andrea Sabinski presided during executive‑session deliberations and the public vote. The board recorded that the matter had been discussed in executive session under Connecticut statutes; the motion to move into executive session cited Connecticut General Statute references (recorded in the meeting as sections labeled 1‑225a, 1‑2006 and subsection b of section 1‑0201 in the transcript). Discussion vs. decision: The contract vote was a formal board action and the agreement was approved by the board during the Sept. 15 meeting. Specific roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the public transcript; the minutes reflect a voice vote and the chair’s stated recusal. The board did not announce implementation dates beyond the stated contract period. Next steps: The agreement covers compensation and professional‑learning expectations beginning with the 2026–27 school year; details about retroactive pay (if any), step schedules, and administrative implementation were not included in the public reading of the motion and will be handled by district finance and human‑resources staff.