Subcommittee questions storm overtime, snow removal and bus disruptions; seeks city operations director at next meeting

Committee members spent a substantial portion of the meeting examining storm-response logistics after a multi-day winter storm. Facilities staff explained the district’s storm-overtime approach: custodial overtime is offered to buildings that will be occupied, grounds crews operate on a separate rotation (eight grounds staff), licensed operators are called in to load salt and operate salters, and staff typically call crews two hours ahead to prepare trucks and equipment.

Members questioned apparent long shifts documented on overtime sheets (examples raised of workers recorded for 10–15 hours) and asked why some employees were called the night before a storm that arrived hours later. Facilities staff explained a minimum-call policy: when staff are called in, a guaranteed minimum is paid even if the storm’s arrival time shifts, and the district uses paid meteorological services to guide call timing. The subcommittee requested a clarifying memo that lays out call times, forecast justification and the overtime accounting for the specific storm discussed.

The committee also discussed coordination with city public works: the district maintains its own salt stockpile on a separate account and pays for hauling and salt deliveries; large-scale snow moving and removal is handled by city contractors. Members debated whether district equipment and personnel could assist city street clearing once school sites are secured, but facilities staff warned about equipment limitations and union work rules.

Transportation questions followed. Administration reported that contractors (Amaral, Whaling City, Trembley) reported buses getting stuck on several streets; in five of six reported incidents buses were able to continue and one Green bus had students escorted one block to school by staff. The district used its own vehicles where possible and sent communications to affected families; attendance that day was 66.7%.

After debate — including a proposed motion to excuse D4 absences for 01/28/2026 that was withdrawn — the subcommittee voted to recommend inviting the city’s operations director (discussed in the meeting as Al Alvaro) to the February meeting to discuss interagency communication and snow removal responsibilities.

The subcommittee asked the superintendent and operations staff to produce a one-page memo clarifying the disputed overtime entries and to produce protocol language about when custodians are called, emergency access to Knox boxes, and how union rules affect short-notice tasks.