Superintendent briefs committee on expiring contracts as district prepares for local control; renewal motion withdrawn
January 13, 2024 | Holyoke Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts
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The Holyoke receiver and superintendent updated the School Committee that about 13 contracted employees — including directors and principals — are reaching the end of three-year contracts on June 30 and outlined the usual renewal process based on performance evaluations.
"We have about 13 people that are at the end of their 3 year contract," the superintendent said, noting the district typically uses evaluations to determine renewals and that the current transition to local control on July 1 makes timing important.
Committee members discussed whether the superintendent already has the authority to engage in renewals while the district remains in receivership. Several members said day-to-day personnel management rests with the superintendent/receiver, but others pointed to positions for which the committee historically approved contracts (for example, assistant superintendent or business manager).
A motion by a committee member to "allow the current receiver/superintendent to review and determine renewal of contracts for contracted employees" was made during the discussion, but multiple members objected that the motion had not been seconded and raised concerns about when the committee should formally act. The maker subsequently withdrew the motion; no vote was held.
The superintendent said that, practically, conversations about renewals are underway and that those who are performing well would be considered for renewal. He also confirmed that if a contract expired without a renewal conversation and no new contract were issued, the employee would remain employed on an at-will basis rather than lose pay immediately.
The committee did not take formal action and discussed the issue further in the context of the impending shift to local control.
Next steps: superintendent will continue the evaluation-and-renewal process and bring items forward as required by policy or by committee action once local control is in effect.
"We have about 13 people that are at the end of their 3 year contract," the superintendent said, noting the district typically uses evaluations to determine renewals and that the current transition to local control on July 1 makes timing important.
Committee members discussed whether the superintendent already has the authority to engage in renewals while the district remains in receivership. Several members said day-to-day personnel management rests with the superintendent/receiver, but others pointed to positions for which the committee historically approved contracts (for example, assistant superintendent or business manager).
A motion by a committee member to "allow the current receiver/superintendent to review and determine renewal of contracts for contracted employees" was made during the discussion, but multiple members objected that the motion had not been seconded and raised concerns about when the committee should formally act. The maker subsequently withdrew the motion; no vote was held.
The superintendent said that, practically, conversations about renewals are underway and that those who are performing well would be considered for renewal. He also confirmed that if a contract expired without a renewal conversation and no new contract were issued, the employee would remain employed on an at-will basis rather than lose pay immediately.
The committee did not take formal action and discussed the issue further in the context of the impending shift to local control.
Next steps: superintendent will continue the evaluation-and-renewal process and bring items forward as required by policy or by committee action once local control is in effect.
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