The School Committee voted Wednesday morning to approve the contracts for all Belmont Education Association bargaining units, bringing a year-and-a-half of contract negotiations to an end.
The committee voted unanimously to approve the contracts for Unit A, representing teachers; Unit B, representing directors, assistant directors, and assistant principals; Unit C, representing administrative assistants and clerical aides; and Unit D, representing professional aides and classroom assistants. The BEA ratified the contracts for Unit A, C, and D on May 20.
“Over the last two weeks, we celebrated Belmont educators and staff who have served our schools for 10, 20, and in some cases more than 30 years, as well as Outstanding Teacher Award recipients,” School Committee Chair Meghan Moriarty wrote in an email to The Voice. “Those moments were reminders of the extraordinary dedication of the people who support Belmont students every day and the importance of retaining and investing in them throughout their careers. We appreciate the work of the BEA bargaining teams and district administration and everyone who participated in this lengthy process.”
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Longtime BEA President John Sullivan said while the contracts included “some important improvements for educators and students,” the negotiations process highlighted further work that needs to be done in Belmont.
“Throughout negotiations, educators experience repeated disrespect from the Belmont School Committee team as we advocate for issues that directly impact students every day: manageable class sizes, reasonable caseloads, adequate preparation time, and the resources necessary to support all learners,” Sullivan said in an email to The Voice. “Actions speak louder than words, and work is needed to demonstrate genuine respect for educators.”
The vote on May 20 came on the heels of the Massachusetts Teachers Association elections. Sullivan ran for the presidential seat but ultimately fell short in the second round of voting.
Negotiations between the union and School Committee began in 2024. The current contract expired in August 2025. The two parties entered into state mediation in early March, and had been negotiating a contract for Unit A.
In January, the BEA implemented a work-to-rule action, which barred educators from serving on unpaid committees, writing or committing to write recommendation letters for students outside the current senior class, or overseeing unpaid student clubs and organizations. In March, the BEA announced it had taken a vote of no confidence in Superintendent Jill Geiser, Director of Human Capital Michael McAllister, the School Committee, and the Select Board.
According to the union, its goals were to secure a competitive wage, caseloads and class sizes allowing educators to provide individualized support to students, and more collaboration and preparation time.
During the 18 months of negotiations, the parties reached agreements on paid parental leave, expanded access to sick leave banks, and increased longevity payments and stipends, but compensation remained a sticking point. The BEA argued that increasing pay for all members was warranted, but focused on members of Unit D, whose top-step salary is currently about $35,000.
“Educators are increasingly being asked to do more with less, and students ultimately feel the impact of chronic underinvestment in our public schools,” Sullivan said.
Just weeks ago, school leaders claimed the union’s salary proposals put the parties $600,000 apart this school year alone, and $1.2 million apart by the 2029-30 school year. Ultimately, the BEA agreed to a salary proposal from the School Committee, under which educators will receive a 2.3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. Professional aides and other Unit D staff will receive a 3% COLA.
The contracts include an additional 15 minutes of instructional time for students per day, according to Moriarty. They also stipulate the formation of a Class Size/Caseload Working Group, the addition of a mileage allowance, and a one-time “ratification payment” of $500 for every Unit A and B member, and $1,200 for every Unit C and D member.
“[These agreements] invest in educators and support staff through increased compensation, enhanced sick and parental leave benefits, additional protected time for preparation and collaboration, and additional opportunities for educator input through joint committees,” Moriarty said. “[They also increase] instructional time for students across all grade levels, retaining valued educators and staff, and maintaining long-term financial sustainability without reductions that would impact students.”
Sullivan said “continued vigilance and accountability” will be needed to ensure the impact of the increased preparation time and the working group. The union asserted that Belmont’s fight for smaller class sizes and increased collaboration time — the effects of which they argue deeply impact students across the board.
“As a community, we now face a choice,” he said. “Continue underfunding our schools and straining educators’ ability to meet students’ needs, or make the investments necessary to ensure all students and educators have the support they deserve.”
