Teachers urge board to use reserves for pay, call for package to close negotiations

Teachers and union representatives used public comment at the April 21 meeting to press the board for a faster resolution to ongoing contract talks and to ask that district reserves be used to improve pay and benefits.

Laura Aronson, who identified herself as a teacher of 33 years, said the district’s strong reserves should translate into better salary and retirement support for long‑serving employees. ‘‘We’re simply asking that some of that strength be reflected in better salary, better benefits and retirement support,’’ Aronson said.

Carly Mappy and other negotiators reiterated that neighboring districts are settling significant increases and urged Basset to ‘‘settle now’’ and move salary, benefits and retirement together. Wendy Kargo, a fourth‑grade teacher and member of the negotiations team, told the board she felt a disconnect between positive public messaging and the tone at the bargaining table and asked trustees to ensure bargaining reflects the district’s public commitments.

Board members acknowledged the comments, repeated their respect for staff, and asked district negotiators to follow up. The board did not take action on negotiations during the meeting; multiple trustees said they would seek additional information about prior‑year reserve treatment and discuss next steps with superintendent’s office staff.