MANCHESTER – On Tuesday night, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen gave initial approval for tentative agreements on new contracts with five unions representing Manchester School District employees, including teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, directors and coordinators, and administrative support staff. The agreements now hold over for two weeks before a final vote of the Aldermen on December 19.
The District began negotiations with all five unions this fall, with existing contracts set to expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on June 30, 2024. Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel Gillis said that the District’s focus in negotiations was recruitment and retention of employees.
“As we move toward hiring season, having these agreements settled will be an invaluable tool to both help us retain our current staff and recruit the top staff from other districts,” Gillis said. “I would like to thank the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for voting in support of these agreements tonight, and I ask you to give final approval on December 19.”
The Board of School Committee and unions have ratified the tentative agreements. If approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, all of the agreements would take effect on July 1, 2024.
“The Board of Mayor and Aldermen did the right thing approving the five collective bargaining agreements for educators in the Manchester School District,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “These contracts are fair for our educators, our students and our community. The District will now be in a strong position to support and retain our exceptional existing staff and attract the best new educators for years to come.”
The unions that have reached tentative agreements with the District include:
- Paraprofessionals
- Association of Manchester Principals (Principals and Assistant Principals)
- Directors and Coordinators
- Manchester Education Association (Teachers)
- Manchester Education Support Personnel Association (Administrative staff)