Board ratifies three-year ORESPA agreement covering custodial and office staff

The Oyster River Cooperative School District board voted Jan. 6 to ratify a three-year negotiated agreement with ORESPA, the bargaining unit representing custodial and school office administrative staff, covering July 2026 through June 2029.

Superintendent Dr. Shaps described the changes as improvements for both the district and employees, saying the salary schedule was adjusted to make steps more even and that separate tables now reflect different job categories to provide clearer pay expectations for employees who fill multiple roles. He credited administrative work on the schedule changes: "Amy again put in a ton of work and smoothed it out so that the steps now are more even between steps and even between jobs." (paraphrased from meeting remarks.)

The agreement includes modest increases in employee contributions for health insurance over the three years; during the presentation figures were described as the association contributing 9%, then 10%, then 11% and an increase for certain plans described as approximately 2.5% to 3.5% in later years. The parties also agreed to form a joint committee to explore alternatives and potential savings in health benefits; the committee would not have unilateral decision-making authority but would return options to the board and bargaining units.

A motion to approve the ORESPA negotiated agreement was made and the board approved it by recorded voice vote reported as six board members and the student representative in favor.

Next steps: the ratified agreement will be sent forward for warrant and budget planning, and the newly formed benefits committee will convene per the agreement language.

Vote: approved (six board members and the student representative recorded in favor).