In contrast to last night, I was on time to the school committee meeting, but they’re currently in executive session, negotiating with the clerical staff union. Hopefully, they’ll be getting things underway soon. I’m exhausted.
Some days, carpentry can provide a blend of exhaustion, personal injury, and professional belittlement that makes one lament that a college degree isn’t worth as much as it was some decades ago. But now that I’ve typed it out, that description sounds quite a bit like the end result of involvement on “the wrong side” in local politics.
7:38 p.m.
We’re in. The first order of business was to announce a vote on March 31st to continue mediation with the NEA. Black, Herrmann, and Wright for; Bergandy and Coulter against.
They’re now discussing what final number they should send to the Budget Committee. Member Leonard Wright moved $21,285,285, and Rearick is suggesting modification to incorporate just under $5 million of state aid in the official number.
7:42 p.m.
Reviewing the number, I notice that it’s the same as used on the budget documents handed out at last night’s Town Council meeting. According to Town Administrator Jim Goncalo’s 2011 Fiscal Year Maximum Levy Worksheet, that’s a 6.172% increase over last year’s local contribution, or $1,237,325.
As I type, Council Vice Chairman Sally Black is giving a review of the dishonesty and sneaky politics of her opposition last year. Ahem.
7:47 p.m.
If this goes through, I can only say: So much for the School Committee’s claim that it has every intention of reaching the cap, as well as the Town Council’s vote last night assuming that it would do so.
7:52 p.m.
They’re reading off some items that may be cut if the district doesn’t get the money it says it needs.
* Closing an elementary school.
* Eliminating every extra curricular activity.
* Cutting music programs.
* Residency officer.
* Pupil supplies.
* Office supplies.
* Textbooks.
* Library books.
* Special ed assistance.
* Maintenance worker.
* Restructuring tech position.
* Student councilors.
* Library aids.
* Chorus and strings.
No mention of the fact that a 6% decrease to current remuneration packages for the adults who work in the school would solve the problem.
Bergandy: If we don’t get union concessions, we will have the same results.
8:03 p.m.
The vote to forward the requested budget above was 4 to 1 for. Bergandy, Black, Wright, and Herrmann for; Coulter against.
To review: This number isn’t even to the fictional spending cap that the school committee has been chasing. Even that number would result in a likely 9.04% increase in tax levy, which is more than twice the real tax cap.
8:06 p.m.
They’re discussing whether to officially oppose two pieces of legislation, one for binding arbitration and one for automatically continuing contracts when there is no negotiating agreement.
Carol Herrmann stated that she’s not comfortable giving the school committee unilateral power to impose terms when there’s no contract in place. “Dictators aren’t known for being benevolent.” Why an arbitrator with binding power wouldn’t be a “dictator,” I’m not sure.
8:23 p.m.
Unanimous against binding arbitration.
Now, they’re discussing the continuing contract legislation. Attorney Robinson noted the possibility, given Judge Silverstein’s ruling that balanced budget language in the law supersedes all other statutory requirements, the legislation for continuing contracts looks like it might give the unions priority over the rights of everybody else involved — taxpayers, students, etc.
Unanimous but for an abstention by Herrmann on the continuing contract legislation.
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