Paraprofessional, administrator contracts approved in Lee

LEE – A bounty of contracts have been approved by the town’s school committee.

Following the approval of the Lee Education Association (LEA) Unit A (teachers) contract last month, the committee approved the Unit C (paraprofessionals) contract on Tuesday (July 9).

As with the teachers, the contract includes a one-and-a-half percent salary increase each year for the next three years (fiscal years 2014-2016). A $50 increase on all levels of longevity was also added.

In addition, all paraprofessionals who work with students requiring personal care (help with feeding, going to the bathroom, etc.) will receive a $1 stipend.

In addition to the Unit C contract, the Lee School Committee approved its contracts with other groups of employees and district administrators, including the special education director, the school principals, facilities director, cafeteria director, custodial/maintenance crew members, district technology support staff and secretaries.

A contract with cafeteria staff was discussed but not approved due to a mathematical error. It is expected to be corrected and approved at the school committee’s August meeting.

All of the contracts included the one-and-a-half percent salary increase over the next three years, with the exception of Lee Middle and High School Principal Joseph “Joe” Turmel’s contract, which only has two years remaining on it.

The district technology support staff was cut from two people to one person for FY ’14, but the salary for the remaining position was increased from $40,000 to $50,000 for the year, with the one-and-a-half percent increase taking effect in FY ’15 and ’16.

The $50 longevity increase was also included for the custodial/maintenance staff and secretaries.When approved, the cafeteria staff contract will also include this.

The cafeteria staff and director also saw a $50 increase in their stipend for taking a “Serve Safe” course.

The school administrators made it clear that the one-and-a-half percent across-the-board salary increase was built into the FY ’14 budget ahead of contract approvals.

“The one-and-a-half percent increase was done at the beginning of the budget,” Lee Public Schools Business Administrator Tiffany D. Morawiec said.

Posted by Catherine M. Krummey on July 11, 2013. Filed under Education News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry