Methuen School Committee ratifies custodial union contract, tables two assistant superintendent contracts

The Methuen School Committee on Monday said it ratified a contract with the Methuen Custodian Association by a 6‑0 vote and voted to table two assistant superintendent contracts that had not been discussed during the executive session.

The announcement came after the committee met in executive session under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 30A, section 21A(2) (for negotiation strategy with non‑union personnel) and section 21A(3) (to discuss collective bargaining or litigation where an open meeting could harm the committee’s bargaining position), the chair said. The session covered negotiations and bargaining strategy related to the custodians and to proposed contracts for the assistant superintendent of student services and the assistant superintendent of finance and operations.

The chair told members the two assistant superintendent contract approvals “need to be tabled ’cause there was no discussion made during the executive session.” The committee then voted 6‑0 to table the assistant superintendent of student services contract, with a motion recorded as moved by Member Donovan and seconded by Member Keegan. A separate motion to table the assistant superintendent of finance and operations contract also passed 6‑0; the transcript does not specify who moved and seconded that motion.

Committee members then announced that, during the executive session, the committee had voted to ratify the custodial bargaining agreement with the Methuen Custodian Association, recorded as passing 6‑0. The chair congratulated those involved.

The meeting adjourned and was scheduled to resume at 6:00 p.m. (the chair said the meeting would try to start by 6:05). The mayor was noted absent during roll call.