Saugus teacher talks stall -- Saugus Massachusetts

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Date Posted: 07:01:43 12/28/02 Sat
Author: Cato
Subject: Saugus teacher talks stall

Saugus teacher talks stall

By Jill Ricker
Saturday, December 28, 2002

Saugus Educators Association President Barry DeNofrio said "little progress" was made at Friday's meeting with Superintendent Dr. Keith Manville to discuss 14 teacher layoffs.

DeNofrio said the two sides continued to work out language in the teachers' contract as well as other issues he did not want to elaborate on.

"We still have two issues that we seem to need to clarify," he said. "There are two areas that we have a difference of opinion on and we're trying to resolve those."

As for the language in the contract, DeNofrio said he wants to make sure that the layoffs are executed within the limits of the contract.

"We have a team put together that is making sure that the process is correct and that we're in agreement that what is done is done by contract," he said. "We need to make sure that everybody acts in accordance with the contract."

DeNofrio said the determination of many teachers' certifications and professional status is also slowing the process.

"We have a pecking order - permanent subs (get laid off first), then non-certified people, then those with non-professional status with certification, then those with professional status," he said. "That has got to be applied, so we're making sure everybody's certification is correct. And with a Department of Education that is less than speedy with its ability to get paperwork and certifications back to people, the process is rather complicated. We're looking at 60 to 70 people just to make sure their certifications line up. It's a lot of work."

DeNofrio said he is keeping his fingers crossed that all the work will all be unnecessary.

"If the town gives us $200,000 from the overlay, that would resolve a vast portion of the situation," he said. "That would be 10 layoffs that would not happen. The town has the money and they must make the choice to support education or they will make the choice to devastate education. It's their choice to make. We're hoping they will act responsibly."

In the event that the layoffs do occur, DeNofrio said it is still unknown who will lose their job.

"I can't give you any names or any of that," he said. "We haven't resolved all the issues yet."

The two sides are scheduled to meet again on Jan. 2 at 10:30 a.m. to continue their discussions. In the meantime, DeNofrio reminded the public that the discussions should not be misconstrued as re-negotiation of the contract.

"Again, I want to remind you that this is not re-negotiation," he said. "That subject is not in the realm of possibility and neither side wants to do that. It is just simply outlining the process for layoffs for the number of people that may or may not be laid off. I want to make that very clear."

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