draft CAPE ELIZABETH EDUCATION ASSOCIATION/MEA/NEA (2026-2029)
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
Between the
CAPE ELIZABETH SCHOOL BOARD
and the
CAPE ELIZABETH EDUCATION ASSOCIATION/MEA/NEA
2026-2029
PREAMBLE
The Board and the Association recognize the importance of collaborative relationships in a vibrant, dynamic, and preeminent school system. In pursuit of this goal, team leaders, department chairs and teachers will be afforded the opportunity to provide input into professional development planning and curriculum development, provided that final authority over such matters is reserved to the school board and its agents.
ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below unless specifically otherwise provided.
1-1 "Administrator" - Superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principal, or Special Education Director.
1-2 "Agreement" - The collective bargaining agreement between the Cape Elizabeth School Board and the Cape Elizabeth Education Association/MEA/NEA for the period September 1st through August 31st, for the years 2026-2029, which shall include all appendices, side letters, and all other documents attached thereto which shall be incorporated therein.
1-3 "Assistant Principal" - Assistant Principal of the Pond Cove School, Middle School, or the High School.
1-4 "Association" - The Cape Elizabeth Education Association/MEA/NEA.
1-5 "Board" - The School Board of the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
1-6 "Day" - Calendar day unless otherwise specifically defined.
1-7 "Immediate Family" - Father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, son or daughter.
1-8 "Per Diem" - The rate of pay equivalent to 1/n of the annual teaching salary, where "n" equals the total number of school days in the School Calendar.
1-9 "Principal" - Principal of the Pond Cove School, Middle School or the High School.
1-10 "School" - Any school administered by the Board.
1-11 "School Calendar" - The calendar adopted by the Board for the school year.
1-12 "School Department" - The School Department of the Town of Cape Elizabeth.
1-13 "School Year" - The period of time established by the Board pursuant to statute.
1-14 "Superintendent" - The Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
1-15 "Teacher" - Any member of the bargaining unit as defined in Article II, Recognition.
1-16 “Days Worked” for each of the years of the contract will be 183 days.
1-17 “Proration of Salary and Benefits” - If a teacher is employed less than full time, the teacher’s salary and benefits will be prorated based upon the percentage of full time employment.
1-18 “FTE” - Whenever the term “FTE” is used, it shall mean “Full Time Equivalent”. A full-time teacher is an FTE of 1.0. FTEs are prorated based on time worked. Example: A half time teacher is a .5 FTE.
ARTICLE II - RECOGNITION
2-1 Pursuant to Maine Revised Statutes, Title 26, Chapter 9-A, the Board recognizes the Association as the exclusive collective bargaining agent for the bargaining unit composed of all certified and licensed professional employees in the Cape Elizabeth schools, provided that the term "employees" as used herein shall not include Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Assistant Principals, Dean of Students, Director of Instructional Support, Director of Teaching and Learning, Educational Technicians, and Athletic Administrator.
2-2 All rights and privileges granted to the Association under the terms and provisions of this Agreement are for the exclusive use of the Association.
2-3 Non-Discrimination
The Board and the Association agree not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, physical or mental disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin or age.
ARTICLE III - PROCEDURE FOR NEGOTIATION OF SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT
3-1 Initiating Negotiations
3-1-1 Any tentative agreement reached by the negotiators named by the parties shall be reduced to writing, initialed by the negotiators, and submitted to the Board and the Association for final ratification. Any agreement so negotiated and ratified shall be signed by the Board and the Association, whereupon it shall be binding upon all parties.
3-2 Conducting Negotiations
3-2-1 As of the time they are made available to the Board, the Board will provide the Association with a Superintendent's proposed budget for the next fiscal year, as well as available preliminary budgetary information and proposals affecting teachers' salaries, wages, hours, and conditions of employment.
3-2-2 Either party may, if it so desires, utilize the services of outside consultants and may call upon professional and lay representatives to assist in the negotiations.
3-2-3 If negotiations are scheduled during the school day, the negotiators shall be released from their regular duties without loss of pay or leave.
3-2-4 Negotiations shall be conducted in executive sessions unless both parties agree to conduct negotiations in open sessions.
3-3 Impasse Procedures
3-3-1 In case of impasse the procedures specified in the Maine Public Employees Labor Relations Law will be followed: Section 965; paragraph 2, Mediation; paragraph 3, Fact-finding; paragraph 4, Arbitration; paragraph 5, Costs.
3-4 The Superintendent and the Association President (or designee) shall schedule and hold monthly labor/management meetings to discuss issues of mutual concern