JAY – After negotiating a new contract earlier in the year, several educational technicians from the Jay school system now find themselves with fewer hours than they originally had expected.
Sparked by the sudden cut in hours, several members of the Jay Education Association of Educational Technicians voiced their opinions at a school committee meeting Wednesday night. Those in attendance said the real losers in the situation are the students.
In a letter addressed to the school committee, members of the JEAET called the sudden change in hours “unfair bargaining” and added that it would be detrimental to the education of the students. One mother in attendance said the cut in hours has already had a negative effect on her daughter, and school has been open for less than a week.
According to Superintendent Robert Wall, a total of 17.5 hours were cut from technicians’ weekly schedule, which breaks down to about 3.5 hours per day. Many of the technicians have several students to work with, and they said the elimination of 30 minutes in the morning or 15 minutes in the afternoon is a real loss.
In an effort to address the concerns of the teachers, Wall and the rest of the committee agreed that, depending on the results of a survey issued to each technician, appropriate action would be taken as soon as possible. The survey was handed out in order to figure out problem areas with the new cuts and to give the technicians a chance to regain their hours depending on the amount of aid needed.
“Let’s take an objective look at the situation and make a decision that’s in the best interest of the students,” said committee Chairman Clint Brooks.
Board member Mary Luce also suggested that if any students are experiencing negative effects from the cuts, appropriate changes be made to accommodate them. Wall agreed with the suggestion and welcomed any special requests regarding students in need.
In other news, the school committee is planning a joint workshop with town officials and some members of the state Legislature to discuss the effects of the Palesky tax cap proposal. The meeting is scheduled for at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, and all are welcome.
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