Stoughton Area School Board ratifies tentative educator contracts, approves supplemental-pay increases

The Stoughton Area School District Board of Education ratified two tentative collective-bargaining agreements and approved related supplemental-pay increases during its August meeting, voting by roll call to approve the measures.

The board ratified the tentative agreement dated Aug. 6, 2025, for the 2025–26 master contract with the Stoughton Education Association and separately ratified a tentative agreement for the 2025–26 master contract with the Educational Assistance Association of Stoughton. The board also approved increases to supplemental pay for employees eligible for retention incentives and approved supplemental-pay increases retroactive to July 1, 2025, for Educational Assistance Association bargaining-unit members.

The agreements and pay adjustments were presented as ratifications of tentative agreements previously negotiated between district negotiators and the two bargaining units. The motions were moved without extended discussion; several motions were followed by roll-call votes in which board members present voted in favor.

On the first ratification vote (item 8A), the board conducted a roll-call vote after a motion to ratify the tentative agreement for the Stoughton Education Association. The recorded votes included yes responses from Miss Bridal, Mister Masa Myers, Miss Garcia, Mister Moser, Doctor Sharon Mylan Bartlett and President Joe Patterson; Allison Sorg experienced a connection interruption but later registered yes. Two members (Tim Boban and Lisa Pugh) had been recorded as excused at roll call. The motion carried.

The board then voted on supplemental-pay increases tied to retention incentives (item 8B) and again approved the measure by roll call. The board later ratified the tentative agreement for the Educational Assistance Association (item 8C) and approved the EAA supplemental-pay increases retroactive to July 1, 2025 (item 8D), each by roll-call vote with members recorded as voting yes.

Board members asked procedural questions after the votes about how the public will be informed of the contracts’ financial details, such as percentage increases and the effect on taxpayers. Board members agreed to follow up: staff will provide more detail to the board and consider how to make contract details accessible to the community.

The board did not discuss specific percentage increases or line-item salary amounts during the public meeting; when asked about public disclosure, staff said they would compile a response and report back to the board and the public.

Votes at a glance - Item 8A — Move ratification of the tentative agreement dated 08/06/2025 for the 2025–26 master contract with the Stoughton Education Association. Outcome: approved by roll-call vote; yes: recorded board members present; no: none recorded; abstain: none recorded; excused: Tim Boban, Lisa Pugh. - Item 8B — Move to approve increases to supplemental pay for bargaining-unit employees eligible for retention incentives under the district compensation plan. Outcome: approved by roll-call vote; yes: recorded board members present; no: none recorded. - Item 8C — Move ratification of the tentative agreement dated 08/06/2025 for the 2025–26 master contract with the Educational Assistance Association of Stoughton. Outcome: approved by roll-call vote; yes: recorded board members present; no: none recorded. - Item 8D — Move to approve supplemental-pay increases retroactive to 07/01/2025 for Educational Assistance Association of Stoughton bargaining-unit members. Outcome: approved by roll-call vote; yes: recorded board members present; no: none recorded.

Board members and staff said they will follow up with details for public dissemination, including how to present percentage changes and budget impacts in an accessible form for taxpayers and community members.

The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 2, 2025, with a second meeting in September on Sept. 15, 2025.