Medford board approves pay raises, expanded leave and benefits review for staff

The Medford Area Public School District Board of Education approved a series of personnel and compensation recommendations from the finance committee on March 24.

The board approved support‑staff policy changes including expanded sick‑leave use (to cover spouse, parents, children, siblings), options to carry over or be paid out for unused vacation for 11‑ and 12‑month employees, and expanded personal‑leave rules (with a 2–3 person daily limit). For professional staff the board approved a package that includes expanded sick‑ and personal‑leave language and a change from “funeral” to “bereavement” wording; the finance committee’s recommended retiree‑benefit flexibility (allowing soon‑to‑be retirees to use personal days in lieu of mandatory in‑service days, with limits) was included as presented.

Compensation changes approved included an increase in prep‑hour pay for professional staff from $20 per hour to $25 per hour, a recommended certified‑staff wage increase of 2.95% for 2025–26 and a support‑staff increase of 5.6% for 2025–26. The board also approved a new short‑term disability option for staff and agreed to schedule meetings with multiple brokers to explore self‑insurance options and develop a long‑range benefits plan.

Most of these items were presented by the finance committee; motions from finance carried during the meeting. The transcript records motions and that motions 'carried' but does not provide detailed roll‑call tallies for every personnel motion.