Saugus teachers cry foul over pending layoffs -- Saugus Massachusetts

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Date Posted: 18:39:30 12/24/02 Tue
Author: Citadel
Subject: Saugus teachers cry foul over pending layoffs

By Chris Stevens
Tuesday, December 24, 2002

SAUGUS -- With layoffs imminent, several teachers are crying foul, but the union is holding steadfast to the claim teachers were told the contract settlement might result in layoffs.

"They were told very clearly on Aug. 31 and again on (Nov.) 5 when the contract was presented," said Saugus Educators Association President Barry DeNofrio, adding he has heard not heard from any upset teachers. "I'm a little disappointed they aren't talking to me."

While teachers are not commenting publicly on the matter, at least one Town Meeting member said she has spoken with two first-year teachers who say that they were not told signing the new contract could result in layoffs.

"They had absolutely no idea there were potential layoffs," said meeting member Maureen Dever.

"It was made very, very clear this could happen," DeNofrio said. "It's sad teachers and students have been used as political pawns in more of the same old politics."

Dever said she was asked to sign a petition started by two elementary school parents calling for the teachers and the School Committee to renegotiate the contract to result in less layoffs and program cuts.

DeNofrio said that was not going to happen.

"There is no renegotiations," he said. "The deal's the deal."

When the teachers' contract was signed in November, there was a side letter signed by DeNofrio, two other association members and the School Committee, which stated the 16.5 percent raise might come at the cost of layoffs.

In bold print, the side letter dated Nov. 14 states, "The parties recognize that layoffs may begin as early as February 2, 2003."

Now with a $360,000 deficit in the school budget due to the contract, up to 16 teachers will be notified of the layoff status at the first of the year.

"People claiming they didn't know are absolutely, incredibly erroneous," said one 30-year veteran of the system, who asked to remain anonymous.

The veteran teacher admitted they could not remember if the side letter had been presented to them, but said anyone who thought the process would not result in layoffs was na�ve.

"I don't see how any teacher could go into the process without knowing. It's a bit na�ve to think it wouldn't happen."

And as a veteran, this is not the first time the teacher has seen the negotiation process go bad.

"This is the second time this has happened to us. When Proposition 2 1/2 happened, it was awful . . . and there were layoffs."

However Town Moderator Robert Long said DeNofrio and the veteran teacher are missing the point. Long said he too has spoken with teachers saying they were unaware of potential layoffs.

"The point is it was put expressly in a side letter," Long said. "I'm not saying the guy (DeNofrio) was purposely misleading people, but for one reason or another they didn't think the result would be layoffs."

The problem this time, according to DeNofrio, is the town simply refuses to pay for the money to fund the contract.

"If they choose to decimate the schools, there's nothing we can do," DeNofrio said. "They can pay for raises without raising taxes a dime. This is the choice it makes."

DeNofrio said he views the issue as a generational problem.

"Those (residents) who put us in this position wish to continue low taxes and mediocre schools," DeNofrio said. "And then there are parents who want better schools."

DeNofrio said the town was being "pennywise and pound-foolish" in not funding the contract. He said the layoff problem could be resolved with $200,000 - the amount that might be freed up from the tax assessors' surplus account, an issue that will be put before a special Town Meeting on Jan. 27.

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