March 29, 2024

School Hiring Snafus Surface at Meeting

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Several personnel decisions were either put on hold or held up during the November 24th school board meeting because of procedural questions. The hiring of a new behavioral specialist position was first approved and then rescinded after the school committee found out the job had not been posted. The committee also rejected a recommendation to change the title of Director of Intervention & Instruction to Assistant Superintendent. Member Jessica Beauchaine raised some questions on why the positions were not posted or advertised. There was no immediate reply to her queries but Joel Monteiro said that "Mrs. Crowley (new supt.) asked for this last Friday. It's disappointing that we deny this when there was an opportunity to discuss this with her before tonight." Monteiro suggested to the committee that "She talked to us, questions could have been raised before tonight. Our new Superintendent explained the need for this title change and we should support her," said Monteiro. Beauchaine responded that, "I did discuss it with her but not with our legal counsel." "But there is no legal question here," replied Monteiro. "Yes, I support this but am not ready to vote on it tonight," added Beauchaine. The matter was not approved with members Tony Ferreira, Beauchaine and chairman Charles Tsonos voting against although all stated that they didn't have a problem with the proposed title change. Members Nathan Cahoon and Joel Monteiro voted for the recommended change.

A vote to hire a mechanic, and discussion on hiring 5 custodians was tabled until posting by administration is ascertained. "We had a 30 year mechanic retire with 5 months notice to us so that he could transition with a new person. Has the job been posted," member Tony Ferreira asked several times. "Has it been posted and why not," asked Nathan Cahoon. Not hearing an answer, Ferreira said, "Well, I'm not getting answers so Monday, we'll post the job. I'm saying it," declared Ferreira. Joel Monteiro suggested that "in the morning why don't we inquire of HR about this and then get it done," to which Ferreira replied, "that's okay with me." A similar vote to fill the vacant position of Facilities Director was cause for much discussion on a job description as the committee wanted to make sure that the vacancy was posted. "Have we approved the job description," asked Monteiro. "I think we need that before we advertise." Once former city manager Paul Lemont announced that he was pulling back consolidated Director of Facilities Ed Catelli to just city duties, instead of the combined city-schools job, the school committee advertised for a new director. William Reynolds was hired on March 24th but quickly resigned from the job. In the interim, the post has been filled by the department's security director and former custodian, Tony Feola. Other positions in the school department have been filled in the recent past without posting or advertising per contracts and law, including some at the school principals level.

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