NEWPORT, NH–On Monday March 6, 2017, the District was notified that a citizen filed a Petition against the District, alleging that the District failed to appropriately disclose the cost items associated with the two collective bargaining agreements, said Cindy Gallagher, Superintendent, Newport School District / SAU 43, a short time ago.
The citizen has requested that the Court award injunctive relief that will require a new deliberative session and a vote for the school district budget at date later than March 14, 2017, the scheduled ballot vote.
The School Board is represented by Attorney Dean Eggert from the law firm Wadleigh, Starr & Peters, P.L.L.C.
The cost items were disclosed and discussed in January and February 2017, at the budget hearings and deliberative session. The cost items for the two collective bargaining agreements are included in the proposed operating budget. The combined value of the cost items for the proposed Newport Teachers Association contract is $223,446. This includes a “step” raise of approximately $1,240 for each of the 94 teachers for an estimated total of $116,449. It also includes expanded loyalty bonuses, which equals an increase of approximately $4,700 and an estimated increase of $102,297 for benefits that include a change in retirement from 15.67% to 17.36%. The Newport Support Staff contract has an approved cost item increase of $216,396. This includes approximately $168,480 in increased salaries, and an approximate increase of $62,149 in associated benefits and projected health insurance opt-outs. There were no changes to the loyalty plan in this contract. You can find more information regarding the budget on the District web site at www.sau43.org.
The judge has scheduled a hearing on the Petition for Thursday March 9, 2017 at 3:15 pm in Superior Court. “We will announce the outcome of that ruling as quickly as possible,” said Gallagher.
★ 2016 Copyright E-Ticker News of Claremont ★ Website by Bee Balm Productions ★