On January 28th the DEA presented written proposals that included revisions to initial DEA proposals and counter proposals to previous Committee proposals.
DEA revision of prior DEA proposals included:
- Three language proposals that would establish aspirational goals to maintain certain levels of staffing for librarians, interventionist, and instructional coaches.
- Language regarding the maintenance and conditions in faculty/staff bathrooms.
- Language establishing additional compensation for unit members responsible for planning field trips.
- Language establishing protocols for management of extreme temperatures in classrooms and clinics.
- Language establishing protocols and expectations for district notification to the DEA regarding use of outside contractors to provide instructional services.
DEA counter-proposals included revised proposals to:
- Modify language relating to paid time off for bereavement leave.
- Provide additional compensation to unit members for time associated with moving classrooms.
- Provide additional compensation to unit members who apply for and are selected to teach courses or manage caseloads that exceed their contractual duties.
- Amend language regarding the maintenance of specialist staffing at the elementary level.
- Amend language specifying the number of parent-teacher conferences at the elementary level.
At this January 28th meeting, the Negotiations Subcommittee presented a counter proposal to the DEA’s initial wage proposal (12/9/24), which aimed to:
- Provide a differentiated wage package that ensures wage increases for all unit members, while addressing less competitive wages for top step employees through:
- a tiered approach to cost of living adjustments (COLA) at early, middle, and top steps.
- wage differentials applied to top step salaries.
- recognizing longevity earlier in educator’s careers in Dedham through adjustments to step increases in the pay scale.
- Ensure that the School Department’s budget stabilizes and returns to year over year increases that the town can afford through annual appropriation at Town Meeting.