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The Sudbury Public Schools school district has officially settled three major contracts. The district announced on January 12 that all parties had ratified new collective bargaining agreements.
The agreements, announced Monday, cover the Sudbury Education Association (SEA), the Educational Support Professional Association of Sudbury (ESPAS), and the Sudbury Educational Association of Custodial Employees. The School Committee voted to approve the contracts on January 5, 2026, and the respective unions have subsequently ratified the deals, placing them into immediate effect.
The new contracts feature a multi-year compensation package. The financial terms include cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) spread over three years:
- Year 1: A 3.0% wage increase, effective July 1, 2025.
- Year 2: A 2.0% wage increase, effective July 1, 2026.
- Year 3: A 3.0% increase during the final year, implemented via a combination of scheduled increases.
In addition to base salary adjustments, the district has introduced a new longevity payment structure intended to reward long-serving employees and promote workforce stability. Notably, the agreements also contain a “conditional market adjustment” that is tied to future fiscal capacity, dependent on whether voters approve additional school funding.
Beyond compensation, the negotiations adjusted provisions for workplace culture and safety. The new provisions include:
- Leave Practices: Enhanced paid family medical illness leave and updated personal leave provisions.
- Safety: The establishment of joint Health and Safety Committees and clarified procedures for injury reporting.
- Workload: Mechanisms to monitor instructional conditions and ensure sustainable workloads.
The agreements mark the conclusion of a bargaining process involving the School Committee, district administration, the Town Manager’s Office, and union representatives. Officials described the negotiations as a “good-faith” effort centered on the long-term stability of the district.
“These agreements reflect the shared commitment of our educators, staff, and leadership to maintaining strong schools for our students,” said Superintendent Brad Crozier. “I am grateful for the professionalism, care, and collaboration demonstrated throughout this process.”
School Committee Chair Karyn Jones echoed those sentiments, noting that the contracts align with the district’s mission to provide equitable learning environments. “The School Committee appreciates the time, dedication, and good-faith effort contributed by all parties. These agreements support the people who support our students and align with our mission to provide safe, equitable, and high-quality learning environments for every child in Sudbury.”
With these three union groups settled, the nurses contract will become the focus for the district, as negotiations are still ongoing.
Residents wishing to review the specific details of the contracts can access the finalized documents on the Sudbury Public Schools website. The press release is below.
