Springfield School Committee votes to enter executive session on collective bargaining

The Springfield School Committee voted to enter an executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategy for clerks (Unit C), updates to the teachers' collective bargaining agreement (Unit A) and the student assignment services contract, committee members said during the meeting.

The committee cited Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 30A, section 21(3), which permits public bodies to close meetings to discuss strategy for collective bargaining. Vice Chair Bruno Naylor moved for the executive session; the motion was seconded by Miss Gresham and approved by roll call. Committee members said they would return to open session later.

Vice Chair Bruno Naylor moved the executive-session motion, saying: "I make a motion that we enter into executive session pursuant to MGL chapter 30 a section 21 exemption 3 for purposes of discussing the strategy with respect to collective bargaining for the clerks. Unit c, the updates to the collective bargaining teachers unit a, c, the updates of the student assignment services units contract as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the school committee." Miss Gresham seconded the motion.

The clerk called the roll. Members recorded as present and voting yes were Mister Collins, Miss Gresham, Miss Bruno Naylor and Mayor Sarno. Members recorded as absent were Mister Gonzales, Attorney Murphy and Miss Hurst. After the roll call the chair said, "More than sufficient vote, this matter passes," and the committee moved into executive session. The committee announced it would reconvene in open session later in the meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Sonia was referenced as attending internal duties related to services; no further substantive discussion or timeline for return to open session was recorded in the provided transcript block. The meeting record supplied with the transcript does not specify a meeting date or location.