The ConVal Education Association (CVEA) and the ConVal School Board recently reached agreement on an addendum to the current three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The Addendum to the Agreement, if approved by District voters in March 2024, will be effective for the third and final year of the CBA. Fiscal Year 24-25 begins on July 1. 2024.
The CVEA represents teachers, paraprofessionals and special services professionals (e.g. nurses, school psychologists and occupational therapists). These are our front-line educators that work directly with District students and are integral to their success.
Both parties recognized the recruitment and retention of staff has become increasingly difficult since the current CBA was negotiated in 2021. At that time, inflation was relatively stable, then it took off, reaching 6 percent, then 9 percent (using Social Security COLA as a reference.) District salaries were becoming less competitive – which resulted in a record number of open positions in early summer for the current school year.
The parties met over a period of several months and reached agreement in October. Greg Leonard,
Chairman of the CVEA negotiations team, said, ”We addressed the issues that were impacting our current employees, especially the newer educators, financially. We all know how difficult it is to find affordable housing in the Monadnock area. This also addresses the fact that our starting pay was falling behind neighboring districts.”
The Board and CVEA have both approved the Addendum. The March 2024 ballot will include a Warrant Article that voters will have to approve before the increases can be implemented.
Jim Fredrickson, Chairman of the Board’s Negotiating Committee said, “We tried to balance the needs of our staff and students and the desire to minimize the impact on District taxpayers. If approved, this will add approximately $1.2 million to the District Operating Budget. We hope our voters understand that in the end, this is all about getting the best educators for our students.”
