Superintendent proposes 2.5% FY26 increase to administrators— committee takes first read

The superintendent proposed a 2.5% across-the-board increase to the administrative salary grid for fiscal year 2026 and the Pembroke School Committee voted May 21 to take the proposal as a first read.

The superintendent explained the increase is intended to preserve pay differentials that encourage experienced teachers to consider administrative roles. She cited the example that the current starting salary for a K–8 assistant principal is $113,594 while a Step 11 teacher with a master's plus 30 is about $105,000, narrowing the financial incentive to move into administration. The superintendent also noted administrators work more days — typically 260 versus roughly 183 for teachers — and that the district expects to review the grid in more detail and consider a larger realignment in roughly a year.

Taking the salary grid as a first read gives committee members at least two weeks to review the proposal, ask for comparable salary information from other districts and return with questions at the next meeting. The committee approved the motion to take the item as a first read by voice/roll-call (first by Katrina, second by Sue) and recorded unanimous approval to proceed on a first-read basis.

No final salary adoption vote was taken; the proposal will return for a second read after committee members have time to request additional data and benchmarks.