Item under suspension

And unfortunately due to the lack of remaining battery power in my netbook, I did not manage to post the one item that was school-related tonight at Council: an item under suspension from Councilor Clancy.

 

Councilor Clancy speaking of the raise voted for Brian Allen last week by School Committee (the vote was in executive session, then public session, but you might remember that there was a post executive session that went nearly to 11 last week; that's why we went long. It's also why no one was still at City Hall when it was publicly voted.)

 

Clancy says the raise is $16,000 (he's got a bad source; it's a bit under $12,000, to take effect in FY11, split between salary and retirement; and five days vacation).

 

Wonders if it was voted in chambers (it wasn't, but was voted publicly; the lights and cameras were off in chambers), wasn't on the agenda (not uncommon for School Committee to have items coming out of executive session that aren't on the agenda)

 

Demanding (I think would not be too strong a word) an explanation from the administration and the School Committee. Motion to that effect

 

Eddy and Haller support him, with Eddy citing the (below) item in today's paper on the possibe budget cuts.

 

Rushton not rushing to judgment, cites raise given Moylan a few years ago lest he be lost to another city (an apt comparison, as it happens)

 

Lukes, speaking from the chair, thought she'd voted this down, didn't like the vote on federal funds last week "to increase student achievement" and calls for greater communication

 

Unanimous motion to request further information from the school administration