Public commenters and teachers press Cambridge finance committee on pay for expanded learning time at Fletcher Maynard Academy

Cambridge City Council Finance Committee members heard public comment and an extended presentation on the Cambridge Public Schools proposed FY2026 budget — with multiple teachers and the Cambridge Education Association urging the committee not to forward the budget until the school committee guarantees fair, proportional pay for expanded learning time (ELT) at Fletcher Maynard Academy (FMA).

The most urgent issue raised during public comment was compensation for teachers required to work a longer school day at FMA. Dan Monahan, president of the Cambridge Education Association, told the committee he “asks you tonight to not approve the school department budget until you have heard assurances from the school committee that there’s adequate funding to pay teachers fairly for expanded learning time.” Several FMA teachers and staff reiterated that the proposed pay structure treats ELT as a flat stipend rather than proportional salary, which they said undervalues long‑tenured teachers and creates large pay differences between schools.

The concern centers on a district plan that extends some school days from about 6 hours 55 minutes to roughly 8 hours 25 minutes at ELT schools. Public commenters said the change amounts to a 16.14% increase in work time for many FMA staff and warned that a stipend-based…