BOE Meeting: Contract Dispute Between District, Workers

At Wednesday's Sachem Board of Education work session, the president of the United Public Service Employees Union addressed the board about contract disputes between the district and some of its workers.

Kevin Boyle spoke on behalf of maintenance, grounds, food service, transportation and security units in Sachem and expressed concern to, "bring closure to long overdue negotiations."

The major gripe in his four-minute oration was the district's proposal to eliminate employees from going before an independent hearing officer if the employee is terminated.

Boyle said the two sides agreed in their last negotiations that disciplinarian actions greater than a certain number of days could be arbitrated under the contract.

"Recently, however, the district went to court on two occasions, against my advice I might add," he said to the board, "to attempt to stop the arbitration process that has been in existence for nearly 40 years.

"I'm guessing that's more than anyone sitting up there that's been with the district. The court agreed with us, that this provision was clear and concise in the collective bargaining agreement."

After he concluded his comments, over 100 district employees exited the administrative annex at Samoset Middle School. No district administrators or board members commented on the  matter during the work session.

Open Board Trustee Seat

The board and district officials were speaking again Wednesday in executive session about the open seat. They have taken many resumes from multiple district committees and are hoping to appoint an individual by the next board meeting in two weeks.

New system for professional development

The board voted to approve the district's use of "My Learning Plan," a software system to help with professional development for employees.

Gail Grenzig, Sachem's assistant superintendent for personnel, and Jack Renda, the district's administrative assistant for instructional technology, made a presentation about the software, which will cost $30,000 a year, but will be paid for completely by state aide.

From enrollment to automated electronic system management, surveys and need assessments, Renda make a pitch that the program will help alleviate many current issues. The major selling point … the state provides money specifically for software use and if the district does not use it, it loses it.

Race to the Top

Though is pennies compared to what other school districts received across Long Island for the recent Race to the Top funding that was dished out across New York and other lottery-winning states, Sachem will use the money and submit a plan by Monday to the state in how it will distribute the funds.

Next up

The Board of Education will meet again Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m.