Committee authorizes superintendent to open talks with Unit A on teacher team-leader stipends

The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee voted 6–1 on Oct. 13 to authorize the superintendent to enter into formal discussions with Unit A about a potential memorandum of understanding to create team-leader stipends at the elementary level.

Superintendent Jason outlined the proposal discussed informally with teachers: the district would create grade-level team leaders (one per elementary grade) to formalize teacher leadership work such as participating on instructional leadership teams, running data meetings and implementing professional development. He said the anticipated workload would be about 20 hours during the school year plus some summer time and that final stipend amounts and structure would be subject to bargaining.

Several committee members questioned whether adding a stipend at every grade level was excessive and asked for details on current coach and team-leader responsibilities. The superintendent said the proposal could be adjusted (for example, one leader for PK–K), and he agreed to return with a proposal that includes the current structure, counts of teachers per grade, and recommended stipend levels for committee review before any final approval.

Final motion language authorized Jason to enter discussions with Unit A and to bring back any MOU for committee action; the motion passed on a roll call of six in favor and one opposed.