Tiverton committee approves modest raises for Early Risers and Beyond the Bell staff

The Tiverton School Committee voted on June 10 to approve pay increases for employees in the Early Risers (before‑school) and Beyond the Bell (after‑school) programs. The committee approved a $1 hourly increase for program staff and a $3 hourly increase for the program director (from $31 to $34 per hour), with the committee chair and administration saying the increases can be covered from the program’s enterprise fund and current enrollment.

Superintendent (Dr.) Sanchione (presenter) said the programs had not received raises in three years and the proposed increases “will not require any increase in fees for families utilizing the program.” Committee members asked whether teaching assistants (TAs) under Council 94 contracts were being treated equitably; administrators said TAs are part of a separate bargaining unit and any changes to their pay will be addressed through union negotiations.

Committee members also discussed financial oversight: the program operates as an enterprise fund (similar to the lunch fund) where tuition offsets expenses; presenters said the program has run a small positive balance in recent years. The director said program staffing fluctuates with enrollment and that roughly 12–14 employees typically work in the program, depending on coverage needs.

After discussion, the motion to approve the salary increases carried with a 4–1 recorded outcome. The administration noted some of the program’s fund balance had been used to offset an FY25 deficit; members said they expected to monitor the fund to keep the program solvent.

Implementation: payroll and program staffing will be adjusted by the district once paperwork is completed; no family tuition increase was scheduled in conjunction with the raise.