Springfield schools, teachers agree to deal

One of the top items on the Springfield School Board’s agenda was the ratification of the Teachers Association’s master contract. But before the vote took place, the School Board moved an important item to the top of the agenda Monday.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110609/NEWS02/706099906

Published June 9, 2011 in the Rutland Herald

Springfield schools, teachers agree to deal

By Christian Avard

SPRINGFIELD — One of the top items on the Springfield School Board’s agenda was the ratification of the Teachers Association’s master contract. But before the vote took place, the School Board moved an important item to the top of the agenda Monday.

Relatives of the late John P. Barry met with the School Board to discuss the Riverside Middle School Auditorium. Barry taught in area schools for more than four decades and was Riverside Middle School’s first principal from 1956 to 1964. Barry’s granddaughter Joanna Coleman and son-in-law Mike Janiszyn talked about the positive impact Barry had with students and they requested the Riverside Middle School Auditorium be renamed the John P. Barry Auditorium.

“(Barry) was a source of wisdom and an inspiration to us all,” Janiszyn said. “He was an educator first and foremost and dedicating the auditorium in his name would be a fitting tribute.”

The School Board approved the name change and a ceremony will take place at the Springfield High School graduation Saturday. Barry died on May 19.

The School Board approved the Teachers Association’s three-year contract after the vote was originally postponed on May 25.

The Teachers Association’s contract includes the following changes: Teachers must provide proof of licensure by July 15 or their positions will be considered vacant; teachers’ work weeks will increase from 35.5 hours in year two to 40 hours in year three of the contract; a new grievance procedure wording that establishes consistency in dates and filing; clarification in transfer language, such that internal transfers happen prior to a posting; change seniority groupings from kindergarten through sixth and seventh through eighth grades to K through fifth and sixth through eighth grades; establish an absence day bank that includes reducing the number of accrued sick days from 120 to 90 days; remove annual payments for perfect attendance and excess accrued absence days; appoint a committee to examine extracurricular activities; and no salary increases in year one but a $550 increase for all teachers in year three of the contract.

School Board member Ken Vandenburgh commended the school district and the Teachers Association for reaching an agreement.

“Both sides worked hard at this. A lot of people gripe about raises, but I think the teachers stepped up on this one,” Vandenburgh said.