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4 percent raise would mean layoffs for Watertown teachers
By Laura Paine / Staff Writer Wicked Local Watertown
Posted Mar 08, 2011 @ 04:57 PMLast update Mar 10, 2011 @ 11:19
AM
WATERTOWN The proposed teachers contract would give educators a
4 percent raise over threeyears, which could lead to 15 to 35
layoffs throughout the school system. But while the teachers are
finewith that, the town has had second thoughts.
These are the most difficult financial times we have faced in
this community and this nation for many years, School Committee
Chair Tony Paolillo said at a meeting Monday. This financial
crisisthat we are facing could inflict significant and long-term
damage to this school district. The magnitude of the budget
shortfall we are facing has led the Watertown School Committee to
defer a vote on the[contract].
Before a standing-room only crowd that included many teachers,
Paolillo described why the SchoolCommittee hasnt voted on the
contract. The school department currently faces a $1.8 million
deficit,Paolillo said, and contracts proposed raises would account
for about $287,000 of that. The town also isalready under contract
to pay $504,000 in step increases under the existing contract.
Negotiating teams for both sides approved a Memorandum of
Agreement laying out the proposedcontract in January and it was
approved by the teachers union in early February. Since then, the
SchoolCommittee has held off on voting while they and the Town
Council wait for more information about thetowns finances, Paolillo
said.
The town is not getting $500,000 in federal aid this year that
its received in the past, and Paolilloasked for the support and
help of the teachers and the community.
We have done this in the past, but the scale of the challenge
this year is beyond what we have facedin previous years, he said.
At this time the possibility of significant program reductions and
the loss of 15 to 35 staff positions are very real. Its because of
the potential educational impact of these budgetscenarios and
current fiscal uncertainty that the School Committee has deferred a
vote [on the contract].
Watertown Educators Association President Debra King told the
Watertown TAB & Press that theSchool Committee was well aware
of the numbers before they agreed to the modest contract.
Watertown teachers' salaries lag behind neighboring communities,
King said. This deal doesnothing to improve this reality. We agreed
to a 0 percent this year. This is about good faith. It's
abouthonoring an agreement. The school committee must immediately
ratify the agreement so that we may putnegotiations behind us for
the good of our schools.
The School Committee and the Town Council met in executive
session on March 9 to discuss thecontract and collective bargaining
strategy. Councilor Angie Kounelis said the contract would affect
howTown Manager Michael Driscoll funds other town departments for
the next year.
It not only impacts education, it impacts the entire budget,
Kounelis said. The town manager hasto present a balanced budget to
the council.
But teachers at Mondays meeting said that the delay is both
disappointing and teaching Watertownstudents the wrong lesson.
As a teacher I strive to model for the students how to be a
responsible, respectful and honorablemember of the Watertown
community, Watertown High School teacher Jill Zeikel told the
SchoolCommittee. I do this by showing respect to all, demonstrating
what it means to follow through oncommitments and agreements and
maintain a strong sense of integrity. It would be nice if the
committeemirrored the behavior that is asked not only of the
teachers but also what we ask and expect of our students.
Hugh McLaughlin, an aide at Watertown High School, thanked the
school board for showing himsome of the numbers because the
communication is helpful to know the magnitude of the challenges,
buthe still needs a little bit more.
I hope to convince you it is not all about money, McLaughlin
said. Watertown Public employeeshave saved the town money by
getting their health insurance through the GIC; a nice easy thing
toconvey to the taxpayers rather than vilify them. Our teachers
have stepped up to the plate. I feel that my
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