Duxbury Ratifies Three-Year Teachers’ Contract; Committee Eyes Fee Overhauls Amid Budget Surplus Projections
DUXBURY — May 6, 2026 — The Duxbury School Committee took a significant step toward long-term labor stability Wednesday night by ratifying a new three-year memorandum of agreement with the Duxbury Teachers Association (Unit A). The meeting, which also featured a third-quarter financial report projecting a 1.1% budget surplus and the awarding of nearly $70,000 in community-funded grants, signaled a period of fiscal discipline and collaborative growth for the district.
The Full Story
The Duxbury School Committee opened its May 6 session with a move into executive session to finalize collective bargaining details with the Duxbury Teachers Association (DTA). Upon returning to open session, the committee voted unanimously (5-0) to ratify the memorandum of agreement (MOA), which will remain in effect from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. Chair Matt Gambino expressed relief and gratitude for the productive, albeit long, negotiation process, noting the importance of securing the district’s educators during a time of national and local financial hardship.
“It’s not lost on me that the town and the state—and to a real strong degree the country—is going through some financial hardships right now. I’m personally really pleased we were able to get to an agreement... and secure another three years with our educators.” — Matt Gambino, Chair
Financial Health and the “Turn-Back”
Business and Finance Director Lisa Freeley presented the FY26 Q3 financial report, painting a picture of a district operating with high efficiency. As of March 31, the district has utilized 66% of its appropriated budget, a pace consistent with previous years. Freeley projected that the district is on track to spend 98.9% of its total budget, potentially leaving a 1.1% surplus—approximately $170,000 to $300,000—to be turned back to the town as “free cash”.
Freeley attributed this healthy standing to “extra tight” budget management, delayed hiring, and one-time savings from leaves of absence. Unlike previous years, the district does not intend to “top off” the Special Education Reserve Fund, which currently remains healthy, and instead recommended that any turned-back funds be directed toward school capital requests.
