New Bedford School Committee Ratifies Contracts with Two Educator Unions
New Bedford, MA – The New Bedford School Committee has ratified new contracts with the district’s two largest educator unions: the New Bedford Educators Association (NBEA) and the New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessionals (NBFP).
The NBEA represents over 1,000 educators—including teachers, counselors, nurses, and other building-based professionals—while the NBFP represents nearly 300 Para-Educators and Non-Instructional Paraprofessionals who provide vital instructional and behavioral support across the district. Our Non-Instructional Paraprofessionals provide critical assistance in the Food Services and Nutrition department providing breakfast and lunch to students.
Negotiation teams from the district and School Committee met with union teams of educators throughout the school year, and the ratifications wrapped up just in time for the start of the next school year.
“Educators in our classrooms make the difference,” said Superintendent Andrew O’Leary. “I am pleased to state emphatically that New Bedford’s educators’ new contracts are now more competitive than our peer districts.”
“This is a good deal for New Bedford students,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “This agreement cements New Bedford as a school district educators want to make a career in, and that ultimately benefits our students. I’m happy to support this agreement.”
New Bedford Public Schools continues to demonstrate strong educator retention. According to the latest data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the district’s teacher retention rate stands at 86.8%, among the highest when compared to gateway cities such as Brockton, Springfield, Worcester, and Fall River, as well as local charter and vocational schools.
Superintendent O’Leary noted that New Bedford’s most recent budget shows this stability is built on consistent investment in school-based staffing. “Over the past five years, local budget
allocations have steadily increased to prioritize classroom personnel, even as other districts confront staffing shortages and financial constraints.”
The newly ratified contracts build on this foundation. They include competitive salary increases and enhanced starting pay for early-career staff, and pay increments for Para-Educators in specialized roles. The agreements also strengthen schedules, improve calendars, ensure shared planning time, and professional growth opportunities.
New Bedford also joins a growing number of school districts expanding parental leave, now offering up to two additional weeks on top of existing paid leave benefits to NBEA Unit A represented employees—further supporting work-life balance for educators and their families.
Superintendent O’Leary said, “The best place to start your career—and the best place to build your career as an educator—is with New Bedford Public Schools. Educators deserve competitive contracts and a supportive working environment. As we express our thanks for another successful school year, we can look ahead to 2025–2026 knowing that we are investing in those who directly serve our students and families.”