School committee approves up to $116,000 cash‑out to reduce employee vacation overages

The Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical School Committee voted to authorize a one‑time cash‑out of employees' vacation-day overages by June 30, up to a calculated maximum of $115,979 (rounded to $116,000), or allow employees to use those excess days instead of taking the payout.

The measure was brought after months of discussion about accumulated time that many staff accrued during the COVID period. Superintendent Watson explained that the committee needed to choose among three paths: extend the current carryover policy, buy out the excess days, or a combination of both. He told the committee that simply extending the policy would “have a significant impact on operations” because some employees carry 30–50 days beyond the cap.

Committee members discussed implementation details and timing. Pam (staff) provided the staff calculations and advised the committee that the maximum payout this year was $115,979 based on current salary rates. Board members asked about the number of administrators affected; the administration reported six administrators currently exceed the administrative cap. The committee also clarified that the contract caps differ by bargaining unit (for some units 50 days, for others 10–15) and that the buyout calculation was intended to bring individual balances down to each member’s contractual cap.

After discussion, a motion to permit the cash‑out or to allow employees to use their overage before June 30 carried on a voice/roll call vote. The roll call as recorded in the minutes shows the secretary and committee members Mr. Shay, Mr. Marlon, Kitchen, Miss Treadup and one other voting yes. The motion included direction that, after the one‑time payout, the administration would not authorize further similar payouts and would expect employees to use future accruals so the district would return to contract caps.

Superintendent Watson framed the decision as an operational compromise: "I don't wanna take that benefit away," he said, but added that the district could not sustain ongoing operational disruption if large numbers of staff are routinely absent. He also noted the district has already stopped granting extra administrative personal days to new hires, and the plan is intended to normalize balances over time.

The committee directed administration to proceed with the payout calculations and notifications to affected employees and to implement the use‑or‑cashout timeline before June 30.

The vote makes funds available to execute the payout at the levels calculated for fiscal year rates; the administration said the plan should remove the need for a similar action in subsequent years if executed as directed.