SALEM — Most staff members in the school district won't receive raises next year.
Voters rejected collective bargaining agreements with teachers, secretaries, aides and custodians totaling close to $600,000 in raises for about 600 employees.
For School Board Chairwoman Pamela Berry, the results of Town Meeting voting were bittersweet. Berry and fellow incumbent Robert Bryant defeated challengers Janet Bruce and Dane Hoover, but the rejection of contracts was a disappointment, Berry said.
"I'm very pleased Bob and I were both re-elected, but the board is going to have a lot of work to do," she said. "We already have the task of implementing kindergarten and finding it a permanent home. Now we will have to sit down and renegotiate contracts."
Voters rejected teacher salaries that called for a 3 percent raise, 1,566-1,896. They also rejected secretary salaries with a 2 percent raise, 1,537-1,922. Finally, they voted down aide salaries with a 3 percent increase, 1,526-1,924, and custodian contracts with a 2.75 percent increase, 1,578-1,860.
Voters also denied the district the request to call a special election to address any defeated contract articles, 1,419-1,999.
Voters approved a contract agreement with food service personnel at a cost of $21,954, 1,757-1,677.
The district's operating budget was approved, 2,135-1,272. The $56.6 million budget marks a 9.3 percent increase for taxpayers.
The operating budget includes $1.6 million to establish a kindergarten program, of which approximately $900,000 will be compensated for by the state.
Part of the tax increase also is due to a loss of about $2.2 million in revenue from 300 Windham students attending Salem High School this year, who will leave to attend the new high school opening in Windham next school year.
Voters also approved a citizens petition from Thomas Linehan to cap any increase to the district's annual budget in future years to be no more than increases in revenue plus increase in inflation.
A similar article set to appear on the town's ballot at the second deliberative session on Saturday includes a note from the selectmen that states the article would not be legally binding because the petition would be considered a change to the town charter. It is unclear whether the article is legally binding for the schools.
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