Salary increases denied across the board in Bedford

Friday, March 12, 2010

Staff photo by Don Himsel Joshua Osgood, 9, loads his mother Gretchen's ballots into ballot boxes at the Lurgio Middle School in Bedford Tuesday, March 9, 2010. Bedford combined a Red Cross blood and bone marrow drive with voting Tuesday.

Enlarge Purchase Photo

Staff photo by Don Himsel Voters gathered to cast ballots Tuesday, March 9, 2010. The town combined a Red Cross blood and bone marrow drive with voting.

Enlarge Purchase Photo

Staff photo by Don Himsel Tuesday, March 9 2010 was voting day in Bedford.

Enlarge Purchase Photo

Staff photo by Don Himsel Joshua Osgood, 9, loads his mother Gretchen's ballots into ballot boxes at the Lurgio Middle School in Bedford Tuesday, March 9, 2010. Bedford combined a Red Cross blood and bone marrow drive with voting Tuesday.

Enlarge Purchase Photo

Related Articles

Moderator, councilors retain seats

BEDFORD – Teachers in the district won’t be seeing a salary increase next year.

Voters denied increases for teachers, custodial and support staff during Tuesday’s elections. The $7.85 million McKelvie school renovations and capital improvement plan bond was also denied.

The only warrant article approved by voters, outside of the acceptance of gifts, was the $58.36 million operating budget, with a vote of 2,817-1,029. This will increase the school portion of property tax bills by 81 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, adding $243 to the annual tax bill on a $300,000 home.

The last warrant article, acceptance of gifts, allows the School Board to accept on behalf of the district and without further action of the voters gifts, legacies and real or personal property. It was approved by a vote of 3,366-478.

Warrant Article 3 asked for a negotiated salary increase for the teaching staff of a total $1.09 million, but was denied by a vote of 2,151-1,830. This would have paid for raises in the third year of a three-year collective bargaining agreement between the district and the Bedford Education Association.

The condition article, which would have allowed the School Board to hold a special meeting to address the salary increase if defeated by voters, was also denied.

The negotiated salary increase for the custodial/maintenance staff of $55,626 was denied by a vote of 2,013 -1,861, while the negotiated salary increases for the secretaries, clerks, instructional teaching assistants and kitchen staff of $163,529 lost 2,096-1,761. Both conditional articles for the School Board to hold a special meeting, if denied, were voted down.

“Excellent teachers choose to work in Bedford for a lower salary because the community supports education,” Bedford Education Association President Lori Thorton said last week. “We have a profound fear that if the voters reject our negotiated increases, this dynamic will change. … We do not want to see this talent leave.”

The article for a $7.85 million plan to renovate McKelvie Intermediate School lost 2,060-1,818. It required a three-fifths ballot vote to pass.

The bond would have had a first-year tax impact of 5 cents to renovate McKelvie and to upgrade safety systems. It would have funded the installation of fire sprinklers and roof repairs at Memorial School and Peter Woodbury School.

Kelly McGrath can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 27, or kmcgrath@cabinet.com.