The Northshore Education Consortium Employees Federation (NECEF) represents nearly 300 teachers and instructional aides working with the region’s most vulnerable students, those with significant needs who are unable to thrive in a general education classroom setting.
This school year began on a high note, as teachers and instructional aides went back into the classrooms with a new contract.
“We are proud of our work to secure this new contract, which takes into account the high needs of our students and ensures our educators receive the pay, benefits, and respect that not only reflects the caliber of their work, but is comparable to those offered in sending districts,” said NECEF President Babz Carrapichano. “Consistency and reliability are huge factors in any child’s ability to learn, but especially so for the high-needs students we serve. This contract will reduce turnover and make sure that when there are openings, we can attract the highly-skilled educators our students need.”
Highlights of the 2025-2028 Contract include:
- On average a 13 percent wage increase for teachers and a 23 percent increase for instructional aides over the three-year period;
- $50 annual increase to all stipends;
- Increases for Extended School Year (ESY) hourly pay, substitute pay, and sick day buy-back;
- 12 weeks of parental leave with 6 weeks paid by the Employer and 6 weeks paid though the employees accrued time, and up to one year of job-secure parental leave; and
- Increase to the professional development fund, allowing reimbursements up to $1,500.
The contract also includes an entirely new benefit allowing educators to buy back their accumulated sick days upon retirement. In addition, sick leave will now be disbursed as a credit at the beginning of the year and expanded to include mental health days.
"Prior to the new contract, our department was struggling to maintain staffing, as we were not even close to matching what was being offered for positions that are in high demand, but with a national shortage of qualified people," said Mollie Maxwell, a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, who also served as a member of the bargaining committee. "The contract we secured has made a clear impact, as we are now able to work on expanding our staff to serve the needs of the many students with visual impairments across our own programs, as well as our member communities. This will make all the difference for the districts we serve and their educational teams, and allow students to access the services they so desperately need and deserve!"
NECEF members have long fought for a more collaborative decision-making process within the district’s six programs to ensure they are able to provide the high-quality education and services their students need in a safe and welcoming environment. This new contract establishes a Student Enrichment Committee to ensure educators have a seat at the table when discussing the needs of their current and prospective students.
“Many of our dedicated educators were at the breaking point - having to choose between the job and students they love and being able to support themselves and their family,” continued NECEF President Carrapichano. “I have heard from a number of members who were getting ready to leave the district, but are able to stay because of the contract we’ve secured. These are educators that our students know and have a level of comfort with. There is no question that this contract is providing a brighter future for our educators and our students.”