RUMFORD – SAD 43 directors approved a new three-year contract for the secretarial bargaining unit Monday. They also heard a preliminary budget presentation from administrators.

The 12-member bargaining unit has a new wage scale that includes increases based on years of service. With the adjusted scale, employees will receive a 6.8 percent wage increase during the first year of the contract, then 2.5 percent raises during years two and three.

Other changes to the contract include the addition of a retirement stipend to the secretarial unit, which had been the only one of six bargaining units within the district without one, an optional provision for pay to be distributed over 26 paydays for those who work less than a full year, clarification of bereavement leave to include domestic partner as part of the immediate family, the inclusion of the accounts payable and building, grounds and transportation secretaries to the bargaining unit, and modifications to the dental plan.

With the ratification of the secretarial bargaining unit contract, Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said all union contracts within the district have been settled.

A preliminary discussion on possible staffing changes, as part of the budget development process revealed the possibility of reducing the teaching staff at Mountain Valley High School, although no one is likely to lose a job this year because of attrition.

Staff changes

At least two positions will be vacated because of retirements, Principal Matt Gilbert said.

Hodgkin said when this year’s 9th- through 12th-graders get through the school, the number of high school students will decline from 580 now to 390, if nothing changes. The numbers are based on student enrollments in grades five through eight.

One additional school teacher may be needed at Meroby Elementary School to prevent the average class size from going above the current 20, Principal Scott Drown said.

Also on Monday, Hodgkin said he plans to meet with Rumford Town Manager Jim Doar and Mexico Town Manager John Madigan to discuss a proposal for an alternate method for sharing costs if SADs 43, 21 and 39 decide to merge.

He said, too, that he is closely watching the progress of a bill before the Legislature that could reduce the required number students enrolled in a single district from the current 2,500 to 1,000 or 1,200. If that portion of the bill passes, he said SAD 43 could stand alone. Its enrollment is about 1,450.

The board also met in a closed session to discuss an employment matter. No details were provided.