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Board approves Northern Express contract, 2.63% staff pay increase and policy updates
Summary
At its meeting the board approved a seven-year transportation contract reducing routes to eight daily, approved a 2.63% across-the-board staff raise for 2026–27, approved several policy updates (including re-approval/clarification of policy 0100), and voted to enter closed session.
The Berlin Area School District board approved several routine but consequential items, including a seven-year contract renewal with Northern Express, a 2.63% across-the-board staff compensation increase for 2026–27, and policy updates; the meeting concluded with a vote to enter closed session.
On the transportation contract, administration recommended approval of a seven-year contract with Northern Express that includes a reduction to eight daily routes. The administration said the executive summary was uploaded in advance and recommended the board approve the seven-year reset. A motion was made, seconded and the board approved the contract.
On compensation, administration proposed a 2.63% increase for all employment categories for the 2026–27 contract year, explicitly including coaches and advisers. Committee member Kurt asked which items raised in employee group meetings were acted on; staff said annual increases were the top request and that sick-day payout or restructuring had been discussed but was not the primary change. Kurt commended the district: "I think this district has done a really nice job with a declining budget and money to, hit cost of living increases and even more than that," he said. The board moved to accept the recommendation and approved the increase.
Policy updates: the policy committee reviewed several updates. Committee members noted policy 0100 had been discussed and technically approved previously but the posted policy text had not reflected that approval; Neola-driven language tweaks are a common source of minor changes. The board moved and approved the listed policy updates.
Procedure: near the end of the meeting the board voted to enter closed session; the chair called roll and members answered in the affirmative. Director Brian verbally identified himself during roll call.
Why it matters: the contract and compensation approvals affect district operations and payroll commitments over multiple years; policy changes ensure posted documents match committee and board approvals.
Next steps: staff will continue implementing contract arrangements and prepare any follow-up finance details for the committee; procedural closed-session business followed the public meeting.
