Stoughton School Committee approves employee benefit program, ratifies three labor contracts and OKs student trip

The Stoughton School Committee voted unanimously May 20 to continue a nonresident employee benefit program and approved three collective bargaining agreements and an overnight out‑of‑state student trip.

The committee voted 4‑0 to set the nonresident employee benefit fee for 2025–26 at $1,800 per student, payable in two installments of $900 by Aug. 31 and Jan. 31. The panel also ratified three three‑year labor agreements — for school administrative assistants, custodians/maintenance staff, and food service workers — and approved an overnight trip for four Stoughton High School students to attend the HOSA competition in Nashville, Tenn.

Why it matters: The agreements reset outdated salary scales, add step increases and other contract language the administration said will improve pay equity and competitiveness for hard‑to‑fill positions. The nonresident employee fee affects families of staff who live outside district boundaries and provides a modest revenue offset. The food service agreement was financed from food services revenue rather than the operating budget, the superintendent said.

The committee’s votes were all roll calls; recorded tallies and motion details are listed below.

Votes at a glance

- Nonresident employee benefit program — Motion to continue the program at $1,800 per student (two $900 installments: Aug. 31 and Jan. 31). Moved by Jen (School Committee member); second not specified in the transcript. Roll call: 4 yes, 0 no. Outcome: approved.

- Memorandum of Agreement: School Administrative Assistants (three‑year) — Motion to approve the contract that replaces the prior salary table with a 12‑step grid and provides 2.5% increases in years two and three; clarifies sick‑bank and sick‑buyback language. Mover not specified in the transcript; second not specified. Roll call: 4 yes, 0 no. Outcome: approved.

- Custodians/Maintenance Agreement (three‑year) — Motion to approve a new scale, a probationary period change from six to nine months, new night differential and other language; 2.5% increases in years two and three. Mover not specified; second not specified. Roll call: 4 yes, 0 no. Outcome: approved.

- Food Service (Cafeteria Workers) Agreement (three‑year) — Motion to approve a new 12‑step grid, longevity payments and clarified language on overtime, holidays, uniforms and professional development; 2.5% increases in years two and three. Mover: committee member (motion entered on the record); second not specified. Roll call: 4 yes, 0 no. Outcome: approved. Administration said food services, including federal and state reimbursements, will fund the contract increases.

- Overnight out‑of‑state field trip: Stoughton High School HOSA competition, Nashville, Tenn. — Motion to approve travel for four qualifying students and one staff chaperone; students had begun fundraising and parents would cover any remaining costs. Moved and seconded on the record. Roll call: 4 yes, 0 no. Outcome: approved.

What the committee said and next steps

Superintendent Dr. Baeta framed the labor agreements as efforts to modernize salary grids and correct long‑standing inequities. “We created a streamlined grid and added equitable steps that should help attract and retain staff,” Dr. Baeta said in recommending the agreements. The superintendent and the committee also noted the food services agreement was not funded from the district’s general operating budget but through the food services enterprise account and associated state and federal funds.

On the nonresident employee benefit program, the superintendent explained the $1,800 fee is intended as a modest benefit to town employees and that the district has not raised the program fee in many years.

Several votes were moved and seconded on the public record; the roll calls recorded unanimous 4–0 outcomes. The superintendent and business staff will follow up on implementation and contract paperwork as required.

Ending note

The committee also handled routine financial warrants and set a special meeting for a public hearing on school choice and an executive session for a grievance. The committee’s next regular meeting was posted for June 17.