The All-Island School Committee last week ratified the contracts that will govern the wages and benefits for educational support professionals (ESP) and administrative support personnel (ASP), effective Sept. 1, 2016, to August 31, 2019.
ESPs perform the duties of a teaching assistant in the classrooms. ASPs perform the duties of a school secretary.
Over the three-year term of the contract, salary wages for ASPs, now between $29,134 and $63,287 based on class and step, will increase two percent, plus the addition of a 12th step at the top of the pay scale. Currently the pay scale stops at 11 steps. Longevity will increase from $1,350 to $1,600 for 10 years; from $1,900 to $2,100 for 15 years; from $2,150 to $2,600 for 20 years; from $2,500 to $3,100 for 25 years; and from $3,250 to $3,600 for 30 years.
“The district will strive to provide a minimum of three professional opportunities for administrative support personnel during the school year during All-Island staff professional days,” the contract said. All ASPs will be encouraged to participate in a minimum of two staff development days per school year at the district’s expense.
The bargaining units also agreed to form a safety committee at each school to explore safety concerns at each particular school and the superintendent’s office.
“ASPs expressed a concern around being left alone in the building, specifically around vacations or summertime, that they were uncomfortable with that — not knowing what to do if an emergency arises,” Superintendent of Schools Matt D’Andrea said at the Wednesday-night meeting.
The contract passed unanimously.
Over three years, salary for ESPs will increase 3 percent. Currently, ESPs earn between $17.96 and $27.59 per hour, based on class and step. Professionals who work 6 and 6.25 hours per day will increase hours incrementally over the first two years. Starting in the fall of 2017, all ESPs will work 6.5 hours per day, except for those who work at the high school, who work 6.75 hours per day.
ESPs will now be granted a sick bank. Longevity will increase $500 at all levels over the first two years. Members of the ESP bargaining unit who perform the services of a substitute teacher will be paid a stipend of $10 additional per hour.
The normal length of the ESP contract will be 184 work days, which includes 180 pupil days, two preparation days before school begins, one professional day, and one day in exchange for attending one staff meeting per month. ESPs will be allowed to leave the building at 1 pm on parent-teacher conference days. An ESP who is asked to participate in a field trip, professional workshop, or open house will be paid his or her hourly rate for hours worked.
The contract passed by majority vote. Jeffrey “Skipper” Manter of West Tisbury opposed.
School committee chairman Colleen McAndrews thanked the respective parties for their time. “The negotiation teams obviously put a lot of time into this,” she said.
