Health & Fitness
Andover School Committee members dispute contract process
School Committee members Dennis Forgue and David Birnbach disagree on handling of teacher contract negotiations.
A dispute between two School Committee members regarding a new three-year teacher contract made the front page of this week's Andover Townsman. The article says that the terms of the tentative, union-ratified contract have not yet been made public, pending the School Committee's approval.
School Committee member David Birnbach has concerns about the process. In his opinion piece, also in this week's Townsman, Birnbach says that he requested "documented financial analysis identifying the total annual costs to support the proposed agreement's terms." He said that neither the superintendent, nor the negotiation subcommittee, were able to provide this information.
Pointing out that negotiations just started in January, Birnbach asks:
"Why are School Committee members rushing to fast-track a contract agreement — allegedly committing taxpayers and the Town of Andover to millions of dollars of obligation without first doing the financial due diligence?"
We look forward to seeing this financial analysis and the impact on Andover taxpayers.
Here are the Andover Townsman links to both the article and the opinion piece.
What do you think?
Regards,
Bob Landry
TownofAndover.com
