Brockton School Committee approves HR restructuring after heated public comment

A majority of the Brockton School Committee voted May 6 to approve a restructuring of the district human-resources office, moving from the current mix of associate directors and administrative assistants toward fewer, higher‑paid HR generalist positions.

The proposal, presented by Superintendent Dr. Tulliani, would reduce the HR office headcount from 11 positions in the current structure (an assistant superintendent, four associate directors and six administrative assistants) to an eight‑position configuration that includes three associate directors and four HR generalists. The committee approved the overall restructure and separately approved the creation of FY26 HR generalist positions.

The change drew direct public comment from Joe Campbell, president of the IBAA TEA, who told the committee the proposed reorganization “would constitute a violation of the public employee collective bargaining law chapter 150E” and urged the committee “to reject and pass over any of the proposals and discussions involving a human resources department” in the form presented. Campbell said the existing six administrative assistants and assistant superintendent and associate directors provide institutional knowledge and have helped avoid grievances and arbitration.

Tulliani said the proposal would not cause layoffs and that affected employees would be involuntarily transferred only as allowed under contract provisions; she also said transferred employees would retain their current salaries under the contract rules. The superintendent said the proposed structure is intended to increase HR expertise and reduce overall HR costs. She described the savings as modest on an annual basis and said the positions would require HR industry certifications or degrees; she also noted the originally presented projected savings figure required a correction of roughly $30,000 and that a corrected slide would be issued.

The committee voted on the restructure by roll call. The motion to accept the superintendent’s proposed structure was made by Committee Member Zachary Vega and seconded by Committee Member Gomes. Roll call votes were: Miss Oliver, yes; Miss Sullivan, abstain; Mr. Gomes, yes; Mr. Vega, yes; Miss Azak, yes; Mr. Sullivan (male), no; and the vice chair (chairing the meeting), yes. The motion passed. The separate motion to approve the FY26 HR generalist positions (motion by Gomes, second by Oliver) passed with the same roll call tally.

During debate members sought clarification about application of the collective‑bargaining agreement, whether current HR administrative assistants could apply for or be assigned to new positions, and whether residency could be a hiring preference for new nonunion generalist roles. Tulliani said the district could include residency as a preference in job descriptions but that the generalist roles are intended to be confidential, nonunion positions given the nature of HR work.

What happens next: the superintendent will finalize job descriptions and begin the hiring process for the new generalist positions, subject to the contract and the committee’s approvals. Committee members and the superintendent said they will continue conversations with the union and will provide members with corrected budget slides and additional detail before final hiring decisions.