School committee ratifies updated RTA stipend schedule, cites $29,051 potential cost

The Rockport School Committee on May 21 approved an updated Appendix A to the Rockport Teachers Association (RTA) contract that reorganizes activity sponsor and athletics stipends into a four-tier schedule and clarifies role expectations.

Presenter Jody Goodhue told the committee the process reorganized stipends by responsibilities and tiers after surveying current role-holders, and that most stipends "remain stable" or increased. Goodhue said the district moved many stipends into the regular school budget so student-activity receipts can instead support student activities. "The cost is $29,051 in, added cost to the budget if we post and fill every single 1 of these positions," Goodhue said. She added that only five roles were reduced and that 63 stipends saw increases, some modest.

The appendix also adjusts curriculum-coordinator pay (an additional 2% for certain roles), creates clearer expectations for principal-created clubs when funding exists, and designates athletics into a separate four-tier breakdown based on season length, number of teams and games. Goodhue said the RTA ratified the appendix with about 90% support. The committee moved to ratify the appendix and approved the motion.

Committee members asked whether stipend increases will track regular contract step-and-column raises; Goodhue said the updated appendix will be MOA'd into the current contract and uses the same raise mechanism for the contract's life. The superintendent also noted the district benchmarked stipends against North Shore comparators to remain competitive.

The appendix’s adoption means the district will post the revised positions and apply the new stipend structure going forward; the committee did not identify specific positions to leave unfilled at this meeting.