Stoneham School Committee and Education Support Professionals Agree to New Contract

STONEHAM – The Stoneham School Committee is pleased to announce that it has reached a three-year contract agreement with the district’s education support professionals. 

The agreement takes effect retroactively on July 1, 2022, and lasts through June 30, 2025.

As part of the contract, education support professionals will receive a total cost of living increase of 10% over three years, in addition to market adjustments that will equate to an actual increase of 25-30% over the three years, depending on experience. 

“I am grateful for the cooperation and respect that helped us reach this contract, which meets both the needs of education support professionals and the district’s budgetary concerns,” said Superintendent David Ljungberg. “This agreement will help us continue to attract and retain top quality education support professionals while also supporting our shared mission of providing the best possible education to Stoneham students.”

The agreement also includes:

• Education support professionals will work a 6.25 hour workday, with a 30-minute duty-free lunch period. 
• Longevity pay will increase by an average of over 60%.
• Education support professionals who work after school hours to support students who have IEP requirements to participate in school sponsored extracurricular activities will be paid an additional $5 per hour.
• Education support professionals are now required to work full contractual hours on all professional development days, and will be offered professional development opportunities on all scheduled days. 
• The School Committee values professional development for all staff and a new $10,000 line item has been added to the budget for education support professionals to receive reimbursement for up to 75 percent of the total cost of pre-approved graduate level courses.
• Employees will also receive a $150 annual stipend, up to $450 max, after successfully completing 45 hours of pre-approved professional development training outside of the work day related to their duties.
• A new $500 retirement bonus has been added for education support professionals who have been employed by Stoneham Public Schools for more than 10 years, who notify the district of their intent to retire by June 30 of the previous year.

“Education support professionals are a vital part of our school system and the supports that we offer to every student,” said Superintendent Ljungberg. “This contract respects the work they do and the contribution they make to our school system.”