Article 16:
AEA Collective Bargaining Agreement ($655,017)
Warrant Article Language
Shall the Amherst School District approve all cost items included in the Collective Bargaining Agreement reached between the Amherst School Board and the Amherst Education Association (AEA) which calls for the following estimated increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level over the amount paid in the prior fiscal year:
| Fiscal Year | Estimated Increase | Estimated Tax Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $655,017 | $0.27 per thousand |
and further to raise and appropriate the sum of $655,017 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels? Majority vote required.
Recommended by the Amherst School Board (5-0)
Recommended by the Amherst School District Ways & Means (advisory budget committee)(7-0)
Estimated tax impact of passing this article is: $0.27 per thousand.
BOARD EXPLANATION
This one-year contract provides cost of living increases and stability for our classroom teachers, library media specialists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, school counselors, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and nurses. If this contract does not pass, the current contract remains in effect. About 30 employees will fall two steps behind on the salary schedule, and another 85 will fall one pay step behind on the salary schedule. The instructional time and health care gains in this contract will not take effect. If this contract does not pass the ability to attract and retain high-quality faculty will be impacted.
AMHERST WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE COMMENTS
In lieu of a multi-year agreement, the board is presenting a one-year contract with Amherst Education Association. Ways and Means unanimously support this agreement. While multi-year deals are preferred to provide stability and cost control over a longer period of time, a one-year agreement is a better alternative than leaving teachers at their current salary step and wages for another year. The agreement provides teachers with a three percent cost-of-living allowance, which is in line with current inflation trends, while also advancing teachers a step on the salary scale. There is an increase in instructional time with the conversation of a teacher professional development day into a student education day. There is also an increase in the employee share of health insurance deductibles, providing relief for the district.
VOICE OF THE VOTER
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