Berlin-Boylston school committee holds executive session on contract talks, votes to adjourn

The Berlin-Boylston Regional School Committee met in executive session on May 13, 2025, to discuss strategy for collective bargaining and related budget implications, then voted to adjourn and not reopen in open session. The meeting was held under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), Purpose (3), the minutes state.

Chair Michael Totman shared updates on contract negotiations and noted future scheduled bargaining meetings. Committee members reviewed negotiation protocol and discussed proposals "suggested by both the School Committee and BBEA," as recorded in the minutes; the transcript uses the abbreviation BBEA but does not expand it or provide the text of proposals.

Aaron Osborne, director of finance and operations, briefed the committee on budget impacts stemming from bargaining proposals; the minutes record that Mr. Osborne discussed budget impacts but do not specify dollar amounts or line-item effects. Committee members asked questions and provided input during the exchange; the minutes summarize that questions were asked and committee input given but do not attribute specific lines of questioning to named members beyond attendance.

Mrs. Lisa Mair moved to adjourn the executive session and not reopen in open session; Mrs. Jessica Deglialberti seconded. A roll-call vote was recorded with committee members recorded as voting "Aye." The minutes report the vote as 5-0 and state "Motion Passes." The roll-call entries in the minutes list Jessica Deglialberti, Meagan Grill, Lisa Mair and Elisabeth Mancini as "Aye," and the minutes separately record Michael Totman as "Aye." The minutes do not provide further detail on the substance of proposals or any agreement reached in the session.

Attendees listed in the minutes included Chair Michael Totman; Vice Chair Meagan Grill; committee members Lisa Mair, Elisabeth Mancini and Jessica Deglialberti; Interim Superintendent Albert Ganem; Aaron Osborne, director of finance and operations; and Nicole Bilotta, executive assistant to the superintendent. The minutes note that the committee remained in executive session and did not reopen to the public.

The committee did not record any formal motions or votes on bargaining terms in the minutes, only the motion to adjourn; the minutes do not specify next steps for negotiations beyond noting future meetings were scheduled.