Board approves three-year contract for paraeducators, monitors; raises starting wages and adjusts benefits

The Cheshire Board of Education approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement for Cheshire paraeducators, lunchroom and playground aides, hall monitors and study hall monitors covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. The board authorized the superintendent to sign the contract on its behalf. Why it matters: the agreement changes starting wages, clarifies seniority and grievance timelines, and alters health-plan options in later years for a bargaining-unit group of roughly 190–200 employees. District staff said the parties exchanged 78 proposals (38 from the board, 41 from the union), negotiated 50 proposals successfully, rejected 27 and withdrew one. The presenter described the contract term as retroactive to July 1 and running through June 30, 2028. Key…