How the School Committee voted
Robert Vogler: No
Evan Chaisson: Present
George Kazanjian: Yes
Gary Marcoux: Yes
Kenneth Henrick: Yes
William Manzi: Present
Barbara Grondine: Missed the meeting due to the flu
METHUEN - The School Committee approved raises for 11 school nurses last night.
The committee voted 3-1 to approve the nurse's union contract, with two members voting present and one member missing the meeting because of the flu.
Nurses will receive a 3 percent raise this school year, a 2.5 percent raise next year and a 3 percent raise the following year. Like teachers, nurses receive a step increase every year they are on the job, which results in thousands more in pay increases.
For example, a nurse with a bachelor's degree who has been with the school district for five years would currently earn $45,085. After they receive their raise this year, they'll earn $46,447. With a 2.5 percent raise and a step increase next year, their pay will rise to $49,071.
"I think we negotiated a reasonable contract," said Superintendent Jeanne Whitten, saying nurses do more than "putting band aids" on children these days.
School Committee member Robert Vogler cast the lone oppoasition vote.
"It's a reflection on the dollars that we have," he said.
"The fiscal climate that we find ourselves in is not a good one," said Mayor and School Committee Chairman William Manzi.
Manzi voted "present," noting that he has looming negotiations with city labor unions.
Whitten said this was the last of seven recent labor contracts to be negotiated. Negotiations began before the economy tumbled, she said.
"I think going forward, absolutely, we have to really think about the fiscal uncertainty of this state," she said during an interview.
It would have been unfair to penalize the nurses when other unions received "fair" contracts, Whitten said.
