Taunton School Committee Ratifies Union Contracts, Approves 3 Percent Non-Union Raise

TAUNTON -- April 15, 2026, Taunton School Committee ratifies three-year contracts for two unions and approves non-union raises at April 15 meeting. The committee unanimously ratified agreements with the Taunton Educational Secretary and Assistance Association and the Massachusetts Nurses Association following executive session, and voted 4-2 to extend a 3 percent raise over three years to non-union personnel. In other business, the Finance and Law Subcommittee, chaired by Dr. Gregory DeMello, split a $1,635,715.45 bills payable warrant at DeMello's request, with a single voucher of $24,899.99 passing 2-1 over his objection. Superintendent John Cabral addressed community concerns about a $153,894.95 city warrant item tied to three school proms, clarifying that "at no point were monies from the appropriation or appropriated dollars used to fund any of these activities", all funding came from student ticket sales and donations. The Long Range Planning subcommittee approved $56,459.32 from the revolving account to remove chalkboards at 2 Hamilton Street, with the Bristol County Sheriff's Office to complete painting at no cost. The district's revolving account balance stood at nearly $3.8 million, with Cabral projecting a year-end close above $4.1 million.