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Cumberland school board puts off contract vote |
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Sunday, 27 January 2008 |
CUMBERLAND — The Cumberland School Committee tabled a vote on Thursday night to ratify a new contract for the Independent Cumberland School Employees (ICSE).
According to Kathie Richard, president of ICSE, the ratification of the contract would have been a solution to an ongoing issue regarding kindergarten teacher aides.
Four district-wide kindergarten teacher aides were laid off in July as a means to balance the Cumberland School Department’s $52 million budget for the school year. The School Committee agreed to the cuts in July by a 4-3 vote, with committee members Karen MacBeth, Donald Costa and Lisa Beaulieu objecting to the layoffs.
In November, the committee voted to offer a “short-term solution” and allow “some resources,” substitute teacher aides, into the kindergarten classrooms.
Under the old contract, said Richard, substitute teacher assistants are required to become permanent union members after 45 days of employment. The 45-day limitation is set to expire on Feb. 1, according to Richard.
Without the contract’s ratification, substitute teacher aides are unprotected and receive no benefits, Richard said. The substitutes may also be moved from school to school if required by officials.
“Let’s hire them as permanent employees,” Richard said. “This problem will only continue to the next school year.”
The School Committee voted to discuss the ratification at its next meeting to be held on Feb. 14.
Several parents asked the committee to reconsider the vote to layoff kindergarten teacher assistants in July.
“We have not forgotten that the kindergarten aides are set to leave our classrooms for the last time on Friday, Feb. 1,” said Kelly Connerton of Cumberland. “I urge you to reinstate these aides.” |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 February 2008 )
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