SALEM - State intervention that would spare teaching jobs now hinges upon the City Council and School Committee, which must vote to consolidate financial oversight of the city and schools.
The mayor has called a special meeting of both boards tonight to vote on whether to adopt a state law allowing the consolidation of school and city financial management. That consolidation is a requirement of the state legislation, passed on Tuesday, that will allow Salem to either borrow money or spend in deficit to get through this year's $4.7 million school budget crisis.
"Given the circumstances, it would be foolish not to pass it," School Committee member Kevin Carr said.
Nearly 30 teachers and roughly 50 other school employees were given layoff notices, but the state intervention - along with private fundraising - could spare all targeted teaching positions and a smaller number of aides and other staff.
"In order for the School Department to rescind layoff notices to teachers by Friday, we will need to ... accept the legislation as a precursor to obtaining any funding," said Driscoll, who is also chairwoman of the School Committee.
In December, Driscoll proposed adopting the same state law in order to improve oversight and save money, but it was met with some resistance. School Committee Vice Chairman Brendan Walsh was among three members who voted against entering into talks with the City Council on the measure.
"I still do have questions," Walsh said yesterday, "but I understand it's a unique situation that I was not looking at in (December). The mayor has done yeoman's duty in working with the Legislature and the governor to help us out with this mess, so I have to give her the benefit of the doubt."
Gov. Deval Patrick filed the legislation, which was passed by the House and Senate on Tuesday, and he is expected to sign it this week. How much money the city will spend - and how many jobs are saved - is still being worked out. Driscoll said she didn't anticipate needing more than $500,000 through the state intervention.
Restoring teaching jobs
The Salem Education Fund has amassed nearly $330,000 that would allow for restoration of 15 teaching positions. Money made available by the state legislation would bring back the rest of the teachers, as well as approximately 10 aides, according to Driscoll.
The mayor has called a special meeting of both boards tonight to vote on whether to adopt a state law allowing the consolidation of school and city financial management. That consolidation is a requirement of the state legislation, passed on Tuesday, that will allow Salem to either borrow money or spend in deficit to get through this year's $4.7 million school budget crisis.
"Given the circumstances, it would be foolish not to pass it," School Committee member Kevin Carr said.
Nearly 30 teachers and roughly 50 other school employees were given layoff notices, but the state intervention - along with private fundraising - could spare all targeted teaching positions and a smaller number of aides and other staff.
"In order for the School Department to rescind layoff notices to teachers by Friday, we will need to ... accept the legislation as a precursor to obtaining any funding," said Driscoll, who is also chairwoman of the School Committee.
In December, Driscoll proposed adopting the same state law in order to improve oversight and save money, but it was met with some resistance. School Committee Vice Chairman Brendan Walsh was among three members who voted against entering into talks with the City Council on the measure.
"I still do have questions," Walsh said yesterday, "but I understand it's a unique situation that I was not looking at in (December). The mayor has done yeoman's duty in working with the Legislature and the governor to help us out with this mess, so I have to give her the benefit of the doubt."
Gov. Deval Patrick filed the legislation, which was passed by the House and Senate on Tuesday, and he is expected to sign it this week. How much money the city will spend - and how many jobs are saved - is still being worked out. Driscoll said she didn't anticipate needing more than $500,000 through the state intervention.
Restoring teaching jobs
The Salem Education Fund has amassed nearly $330,000 that would allow for restoration of 15 teaching positions. Money made available by the state legislation would bring back the rest of the teachers, as well as approximately 10 aides, according to Driscoll.
The city hopes to rescind layoff notices by tomorrow, but it's unclear what will happen to other employees whose positions have not been spared - and whether they'll have a job come Monday.
"That's the conversation we need to have with the School Department," Driscoll said. "We have to look at, 'What do we think we're going to muster for resources as a community?' But I think we'd rather err on the side of caution, and I know that's emotionally difficult."
To spare more jobs, the mayor has also asked city employees to work a day or two of unpaid time. At last count, about 50 of the city's approximately 1,300 employees had agreed to do so, for a savings of $20,000. A fundraising concert has been scheduled at the Peabody Essex Museum for Feb. 9, and another community fundraiser will be held at the Knights of Columbus on Feb. 16.
"The checks continue to come in (to the Salem Education Fund), and the support is just amazing," Driscoll said. "Our hope is that if we can get a handle on how many dollars are coming in, we can retain people as soon as possible."
'Checks and balances'
As far as the state law going before the City Council and School Committee tonight, the language is open-ended and refers to finance, personnel and maintenance functions - but leaves specific consolidations up to the discretion of the city.
"To me, it's about accountability," Ward 5 City Councilor Matthew Veno said. "(It's) the reason that we are where we are on the school budget deficit."
City officials have blamed the deficit on mismanagement by former School Business Manager Bruce Guy. Salem police are investigating the deficit.
"We need to establish some checks and balances so one person's actions can't cause so much grief," Veno said, "and it's also about streamlining government and getting the best value for the tax dollars we invest."
Carr voted in favor of considering the consolidation measure back in December, but he still wants to know what it will mean.
"Reading between the lines, the inference would be that (City Finance Director) Rich Viscay would be (School Business Manager) John Danizio's boss," Carr said. "I have questions about that because I think it's also very important that John report on day-to-day operations to the superintendent.
"(But) I don't think we need to decide that yet," he said. "We're approaching a point where we either need to lay teachers off or accept a bill."
Tonight's special meeting is scheduled for 7 at City Hall.
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