School committee enters executive session to discuss strategy for nonunion personnel contract negotiations

The Braintree School Committee voted Thursday, Jan. 30, to enter an executive session to discuss strategy for negotiations on a nonunion personnel services contract, saying an open meeting could harm the committee’s legal position.

Mayor Joyce, chair of the school committee, read the reason for the executive session: “Consideration to enter an executive session pursuant to chapter 30 a section 21 a 3 to discuss strategy for the negotiations of a nonunion personnel services contract as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the legal position of the school committee.”

The motion to enter executive session was made by Dr. Horak and seconded by Miss Tuffy. The committee proceeded with a roll-call vote by Zoom: Dr. Horak (aye); Mr. Lynch (aye); Mr. Rollo (aye); Miss Tuffy (aye); Mr. Fogarty (aye); and Mayor Joyce (aye). The chair then moved to close the open session; that motion, also made by Dr. Horak, received the same affirmative roll-call votes.

Committee members were instructed to leave the public Zoom session and rejoin a separate virtual meeting for the executive session. The committee cited Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(3) as the statutory basis for the closed deliberation on negotiation strategy.

No substantive details of the personnel contract or negotiation positions were discussed on the public record before the committee entered executive session, and no further actions or outcomes were announced on the record at the time the open session was closed.