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School committee approves one‑time stipends and COLA for coaches to narrow pay gap
Summary
The committee approved a side letter providing one‑time payments and a three‑year COLA schedule intended to bring coaches’ stipends closer to neighboring districts.
The Walpole School Committee voted unanimously June 12 to approve a side letter that raises athletic coaches’ stipends with a one‑time payment and a cost‑of‑living adjustment over three years.
District negotiators and school leaders presented a compensation review that compared Walpole to surrounding leagues and found coaches’ stipends had lagged. The side letter offers a one‑time payment of $200, $300 or $500 depending on coach category and a three‑year COLA of 2.5%, 2.5% and 3% to align stipends more closely with regional averages.
School administrators said Walpole coaches had not received increases across multiple recent contracts and that incremental adjustments were the most practical way to close the gap. The proposal was described as negotiated with union representatives and supported by interim athletics staff.
The motion to approve the contract adjustment was made by Nancy (school committee member), seconded by Carrie (school committee member), and passed 6-0-0. The chair will sign the side letter so it can be incorporated into the broader contract being finalized that night.
The committee did not change the categories (various varsity, junior varsity and assistant groupings) but noted the categories are organized by expected level of season commitment, games and practices.
