School Committee approves union contracts, retirement bonus, tuition hikes

School Committee · Meeting of April 16, 2026

GREAT BARRINGTON — Berkshire Hills School Committee ratifies two labor contracts, blocks comment on coaching hire. The committee unanimously approved a paraprofessionals/administrative-assistants contract and a custodial/maintenance/food-service contract, both carrying a $20 starting wage and roughly $1-an-hour raises over three years, plus a $300 boot allowance and a $2,000 early-retirement bonus. Superintendent Peter McCann called the negotiating teams' unanimous endorsement "a good sign" and said waiving the retirement-bonus deadline for one elementary teacher let the district "retain all the teaching positions in that building." Members also approved a 4 percent annual, 12 percent cumulative tuition increase for Richmond students.

The chair declined to accept public comment on an open athletic coaching position, citing state law limiting committee hiring authority, telling attendees to "follow the rules and follow the law." A Berkshire County Prevention Coalition survey of 2,300 students found 88 percent reported no bullying in the past year.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 910 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of April 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.