Voters to consider three‑year teachers contract that restructures pay schedule

The Oyster River Cooperative School District moved a three‑year collective bargaining agreement with the Oyster River Teachers Guild to the March 11 ballot on Feb. 4.

School Board Member Matt Bacon presented the agreement under New Hampshire RSA 273‑A (as cited at the session) and said it covers FY26 through FY28. The article asks voters to approve cost items and to raise $1,141,204 for FY26, the one year that would appear in the current fiscal budget.

Bacon said the contract restructures the salary schedule to support recruitment and retention, includes increased stipends for extracurriculars and athletics, and calls for employees to increase contributions toward health insurance to help slow future district insurance costs. He said, “This provides the district with stability and predictability of salaries over those 3 years.” (Matt Bacon, School Board Member)

When asked by resident Dean Rubine how much of a raise teachers will receive, Bacon said the contract specifies raises of 3.5% in the first year, 3.5% in the second year and 4% in the third year. The business administrator explained the schedule change removes two early steps and smooths progression between credential tracks; because of those structural changes the average teacher raise in year one was presented as approximately 6.16%, though individual increases vary by placement on the schedule, years of service and education level. The administration noted retirement, FICA and insurance cost changes were included in the district's cost calculation.

Moderator Michael Williams called the show‑of‑cards vote moving Article 4 to the ballot. A motion to put warrant Article 4 on the ballot was made and seconded; the article was moved to the ballot for March 11.