Manchester-Essex committee extends superintendent’s contract through 2026–27, approves 2.5% COLA

The Manchester-Essex Regional School Committee voted Nov. 18 to extend Superintendent Pam Bowden’s contract through the 2026–27 school year and to set a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for the coming fiscal year.

The chair told the committee that Bowden’s evaluations, compiled by the chair and vice chair and reviewed by the full committee, “received high marks overall, notably around improvements to the curriculum and instruction and execution against the district improvement plan.” That assessment framed the committee’s argument for maintaining leadership continuity during major upcoming decisions, including the Essex Elementary school project.

Committee members said the extension would allow for a planned, mutually agreed transition date and avoid disruption to the district while the building work and budget planning continue. A separate motion to set the superintendent’s cost-of-living adjustment at 2.5% was explained as being covered in the previously approved budget for the fiscal year.

Board members pressed for basic salary context. During discussion one member noted the superintendent’s salary would move roughly from the mid-$225,000s toward the low-$230,000s under the proposed adjustment, and presenters said the package remains in line with comparable districts.

Both motions were moved, seconded and carried at the meeting. Committee members framed the move as balancing compensation with fiscal constraints; several said they would continue to monitor budgetary pressures such as rising healthcare costs and special-education expenses as the district builds its tentative budget for next year.

The committee did not change the length of the contract beyond 2026–27 and said the exact end date would be mutually agreed upon and incorporated into the contract paperwork.