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Board recommends PARA tentative agreement (Article 4); package passed 8-0
Summary
The Board presented a tentative collective bargaining agreement with the Keene Paraprofessionals Association to adjust steps, add professional-development time and align leave language; the board voted to recommend Article 4 and paired Article 6 in a subsequent combined vote, with the motions recorded as approved 8–0.
Article 4 presented a tentative contract with the Keene Paraprofessionals Association (PARA). Board negotiators said PARA’s salary schedule was compressed from 25 steps to 15 to accelerate progress toward top step and improve recruitment and retention; the tentative pact also included modest sick- and bereavement-day increases and added professional-development time for paras to collaborate with certificated staff.
Why it matters: Paraprofessionals are front-line support staff whose pay schedule and hours affect classroom instruction and the district’s ability to staff special education and intervention programs.
Board action: After presentation, the board moved to place Article 4 on the warrant with a recommendation. The board later moved and approved Articles 4 and 6 together; the combined action carried 8–0 (Mr. Filio: yes; Ms. Friedman: yes; Mr. Germano: yes; Ms. Headings: yes; Ms. Lancaster: yes; Mr. O'Mara: yes; Mr. Roberts: yes; Mr. Downing: yes). The warrant materials itemized the estimated additional cost for 2025–26 ($220,544) and projected multiyear costs in the handout.
Ending: The PARA agreement remains tentative and will be binding only if voters approve the warrant article on March 11.
