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Residents criticize Glocester School Committee over raises, budget gaps and limited public comment
Summary
Several residents urged the town council to scrutinize the Gloucester School Committee after reports of raises approved in executive session and concerns about a growing budget deficit. Town finance staff said a financial impact statement is being prepared and noted an unaudited structural shortfall after earlier planned use of fund balance.
The Glocester Town Council on Nov. 6 received public criticism of the Gloucester School Committee's recent actions on personnel raises and budgetary practice. The council also reported receiving a decision (referred to in the meeting documents as a decision from "Bridal") that denied jurisdiction over a complaint filed by the Glocester School Committee against the town; the committee will need to consider whether to pursue other venues.
Several residents addressed the council during open forum and the school‑related portion of the meeting. Speakers alleged the committee approved pay increases in executive session without conducting an impact study, described what they said was a pattern of limited public comment and transparency, and said prior budget deficits had not been handled transparently. One resident proposed a recall; others urged more oversight and public engagement.
Town finance staff (Beth) told the council there is an unaudited deficit figure in the school budget that staff are working to reconcile. She said the committee had budgeted use of $300,000 in fund balance; the committee entered the year with about $168,000 in fund balance and that, after accounting for current liabilities, the structural deficit could be roughly $22,000 once adjustments are complete. Staff said they had received an unsigned copy of the contract that includes pay increases and were preparing a formal financial impact statement for the committee’s next meeting.
Several speakers urged the town council to review options, but councilors noted the primary remedy for elected school committee members is at the ballot box and that removal mechanisms are controlled by statute. Councilors said they would request the financial impact statement and continue to monitor the situation.
