Winthrop School Board denies Winthrop Education Association grievance, directs written decision

The Winthrop School Board voted unanimously to deny a grievance filed by the Winthrop Education Association representing support staff and directed the chair to provide the association with the board’s written decision within five days, in accordance with Article 23.E.C.3 of the collective bargaining agreement.

The action followed two executive sessions: one for consultation with legal counsel under 1 MRSA §405(6)(E) and a subsequent session concerning a labor matter under 1 MRSA §405(6)(A). After the sessions the chair moved to deny the grievance and the motion was seconded and announced as unanimous.

Board members did not record a roll-call vote with individual yes/no tallies in the meeting text; the meeting transcript reports the outcome as a unanimous vote. The board also directed that the chair prepare and deliver the association the formal written decision within five days, per the contract language referenced during the motion.

The board’s action is procedural and final within the meeting record; the transcript does not include any written explanation of the board’s legal rationale beyond the motion language and the reference to the applicable contract article. No further remedial actions or appeals were described during the meeting. The board moved on to approve minutes and other agenda items after the vote.