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School committee approves benefits change, adds law firm and approves attorney rate increase
Summary
The committee unanimously approved three finance-and-operations items: extending benefits to nonbargaining employees and referring policy updates to the policy subcommittee; adding Massaviano Law as legal counsel for HR immigration matters; and increasing an existing attorney’s hourly special-education rate.
The Framingham School Committee voted unanimously to approve a package of finance-and-operations recommendations from its subcommittee on Wednesday.
First, the committee approved the administration’s recommendation to extend certain benefits to nonbargaining employees, including participation in a sick leave buyback program, orderly retirement plan adjustments, a supermax step and vacation accrual for 10-month staff. The committee also referred necessary changes to Policy GDD back to the policy subcommittee for drafting.
School Committee member Tiffany Maskell moved the motion; Adam Freudberg seconded. After brief discussion, members approved the motion by roll-call vote.
Second, the committee approved a request from Human Resources to add Massaviano Law to the district’s legal counsel roster. The administration said the firm will provide attorney-level immigration support — replacing Teachers Council Incorporated, a non‑attorney organization that had been assisting the district with visas — and that the change comes at no net financial increase because the new contractor will replace an existing vendor. Jen Moshe moved the motion; Rich Robles seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Third, the committee approved an hourly rate increase for attorney Phil Benjamin, who provides special-education and due-process services to the district. The committee approved raising Benjamin’s rate from $220 per hour to $250 per hour effective July 1; the administration said Benjamin had not had a rate change in seven years. Jen Moshe moved the motion; Tiffany Maskell seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call.
All three measures were presented by the finance subcommittee chair as items the subcommittee had reviewed; committee members asked no substantive questions beyond clarifying scope and funding sources.
Votes at a glance - Extend benefits to nonbargaining employees and refer Policy GDD changes — moved by Tiffany Maskell; seconded by Adam Freudberg; approved unanimously. - Add Massaviano Law to FPS legal counsel to provide immigration/visa legal services (replacing Teachers Council Incorporated) — moved by Jen Moshe; seconded by Rich Robles; approved unanimously. - Increase hourly rate for attorney Phil Benjamin from $220 to $250 effective July 1 — moved by Jen Moshe; seconded by Tiffany Maskell; approved unanimously.
