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School Union on Track; Mum's the Word on NegotiationsBy Jack Hickey - April 13, 2008
Lanesborough News
LANESBOROUGH — At Wednesday night's meeting of the School Committee, Superintendent William Ballen reported that the new union with Williamstown (Union 71) is on track and final approval is expected by the end of the month.
The state Department of Education has indicated, in preliminary phone conversations, an interest in seeing a greater consolidation of school unions into a regional organization, said Ballen
School Committee member John "Jack" Hickey asked if the school were to join with Mount Greylock Regional School District, would DOE be willing to substantially increase the state's allocation of funding in the rebuilding of Mount Greylock.
It was also mentioned that if the schools were regionalized, a large portion of expenditures like transportation would be borne by the state. It was noted that the Lanesborough Elementary School will expend $176,250 for bus service in the coming fiscal year.
After extensive review and discussion of the New Ashford special education tuition issue, the committee voted to send an invoice and letter requesting payment in 30 days.
There have been no changes in the contract negotiations with the teachers' union. The mediator has asked both parties to refrain from releasing information regarding the substance or specifics of negotiations.
The School Committee decided to honor this request for the period of active mediation or until the state mediator removes the gag order. The gag order was not requested by the School Committee and the committee's preference would be to release information to the public so the public is aware of the progress of negotiations.
"We do not have that option at this time," said Hickey.
The meeting can be seen in its entirety on Charter TV's public access Channel 2. Refer to the daily guide on Channel 2 for times of showings.
Information provided by Lanesborough Concerned Citizens Newsletter and Hickey, a member of the School Committee. To receive the weekly newsletter with more Lanesborough news, e-mail ahartheimer@yahoo.com. |
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