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Board presents tentative CAPS contract; board recommends Article 2 (8-0)
Summary
The board presented a tentative four-year collective bargaining agreement with the Keene Association of Principals and Supervisors (CAPS), explained key provisions intended to narrow pay gaps and address capped salaries, and voted 8–0 to recommend the wage and benefit cost items (Article 2) be placed on the warrant.
The Keene School District presented a tentative collective bargaining agreement with the Keene Association of Principals and Supervisors (CAPS) as Article 2 on the Jan. 21 warrant. Board negotiators described the agreement as a multi-year deal that responds to inflationary pressures, addresses salary-range maximums for some CAPS members, and narrows financial disincentives for teachers who move into CAPS roles.
Why it matters: Ratified contracts with supervisory staff change the district’s multiyear personnel costs and are part of the warrant voters will consider in March.
Board negotiators said they worked to: restore progression for members who had reached their maximum step, provide modest percentage raises in a four-year framework, align bereavement and other leave language with district standards, and increase health-insurance buyout language where appropriate. Negotiators emphasized that total compensation change — not only percentage steps — determines the tax impact and that the agreement aims to recruit and retain qualified supervisory staff.
Board action: The Board of Education moved and voted to place Article 2 (the CAPS cost items) on the warrant with a board recommendation. The motion 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).
Ending: The CAPS agreement is tentative pending voter approval. If voters reject Article 2 at the ballot, the board indicated it has authority under the warrant language to return to the table to renegotiate cost items only and bring a revised financial package back to voters.
