Miss Cristiano, an Everett School Committee member, asked the committee to endorse H.2932 and S.1884, state bills that would let eligible teachers opt into the Retirement Plus pension option.

The endorsement matters because it would give some long-serving teachers an opportunity to buy into Retirement Plus, a program that can let them retire earlier if they pay the difference in past contribution rates. Miss Cristiano described the bills as requiring a buyback equal to the difference between a teacher's past contribution rate and the 11% contribution rate, to be paid to the retirement system before retirement.

“All I'm asking, is to support,” Miss Cristiano said, urging the committee to send a letter of endorsement to the state legislature. She described the change as “budget neutral” in the local context and framed it as a way to value long-serving teachers. Several committee members voiced support during the discussion; one member said, “I will co sponsor you.” Another speaker, identifying herself as a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and a school committee member, said the bill would give teachers an opportunity to opt in and arrange a buyback schedule through payroll if they choose.

The committee voted unanimously to endorse H.2932 and S.1884 and asked staff to send a letter of support to the Massachusetts House and Senate. The motion to take favorable action was made and seconded and passed on a roll call vote of 6-0.

Discussion versus formal action: the record shows presentation and advocacy by Miss Cristiano and supportive remarks by other members, followed by a formal motion and roll-call approval. The committee’s action was endorsement and a request to transmit a letter to the legislature; no local policy change or funding decision followed from the endorsement.

The vote: motion for favorable action to endorse H.2932 and S.1884 — moved, seconded and approved by roll call (6-0).