New School Hires

School officials also defended the need to hire 5 custodians in the new budget. "Currently we're using subs to work in open, vacant positions to clean and maintain our schools," said Interim Facilities Manager Tony Feola. "We need these jobs badly." A few years ago a reform minded school administration and school committee slashed teacher salaries and benefits, eliminated custodian and clerical jobs as well as other positions. The loss of custodial services caused subsequent administrators to clean and maintain schools on an "every other night" basis. "It was miserable and a terribly inefficient way to operate a school system with aging buildings," said several former and current school staff familiar with what happened. Since that time a new school committee and Superintendent have been trying to "put Humpty Dumpty back together again."

Ward 1 council member Bob Britto urged everyone to convene budget discussions on a year round basis and not just at budget time. "Maybe we can use a small portion of the city's rainy day fund to help with some of these school repairs," suggested Britto.

The group agreed to meet again in January.