MINUTES
April 16, 2025
ATTENDANCE: Lisa Fitzpatrick, Abby Steiner, Sara Scibelli, Erica Nissenbaum, TJ Howell, Kris Rueger, Mark Bail, Kris Nordin, Valerie Sousa, Susanne Thomas, Hilary Coughlin, Tim Mullett
GUESTS: Ryan Schneider, Amanda Emet, Kimberly McCluster, Alex Lennon, Christy Parziak, Leanne Mousette, Kerri Laurenzo, Chris
Treasurer Report: Current on our payments to MTA. She’s now receiving check elect
MOTION: Hilary Coughlin
SECOND: Tim Mullett
VOTE: Unanimous
Computer Insurance: Kris Nordin explained computer insurance. There is a deductible. We fund $2500 every year. This year, we had an extraordinary number of broken screens, probably 20 screens. Some people have had multiple claims. Ryan Quimby wants to buy 10 screens, so they will be on hand. They have no screens. Until they are ordered, the best they can do is provide a Chromebook. He would like $3300 this year. There is $500 left in the account. They would like to order them in a bulk as 10 screens. Each screen is $330.
Sara Scibelli says there’s a lack of equity between departments. The police department and other employees do not fund repairs.
Abby says they should have approached the ELEA with an MOU, not a casual conversation in the hallway.
TJ asked about the silicone keyboard cover. Kris and Abby said they were available at IT. TJ also asked about what would happen, if, say, 100 computers were damaged.
It was noted that we don’t get information about the damage or nature of damage.
Approval of March minutes.
MOTION: Rueger
SECOND: Hilary
VOTE: Unanimous
Process of Reduction in Force
Abby noted that everything is tense. Tears. Chatting in corners. People are tense. Gordon gave Kris and Abby some generalities about the process. There was some idea of the quantity of cuts. Gordon said he was going to try to get out to the buildings to meet with the people receiving pink slips. Because of the number of people, emails were sent out. It was sent out after school, rather than having to work all day if notification came in the morning.
Susanne Thomas asked if principals were ever involved in notifying personnel about pink slips. Twenty letters went out.
MB: 4 letters.
MS: 4 letters.
MV: 3 letters.
BP: 7 letters.
HS: 2 letters.
Some people have yet to address bumping. Five people were cut. Building representatives were mentioned as someone to reach out to, but they were not informed of what happened.
A number of people announced the intent to retire.
There are a number of Questions regarding Reduction in Force Letters:
If someone rejects a bump, are they still eligible for unemployment?
Should building reps attempt to answer people who received a letter? Kris said people should reach out to her or Abby if reps don’t have answers.
How did some non-student facing positions remain while classroom teachers were cut?
Asked if we would try the MOU, now that specific people have been cut?
Guests want to know what positions are gone? Sara Scibelli says Gordon needs to send out an email notifying all of the staff.
Election of ELEA Officers
Call for nominations May 19
Elections: 48 hours–request a ballot by June 9 at 3:30, ballots close at 3:30 on June 11
Motion to Adjourn: Sara
Second: Susanne
Vote: Unanimous