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Winthrop School Board elects new officers, denies teacher association grievance and approves hires and trips
Summary
At its January meeting the Winthrop School Board unanimously elected Alicia Law as chair and Erica as vice chair, denied a grievance by the Winthrop Education Association, approved the hire of Patrick Hassan and signed off on a Costa Rica trip and several policy votes.
The Winthrop School Board, in a largely unanimous set of votes, elected Alicia Law as chairperson for 2026 and Erica as vice chair, denied a grievance filed by the Winthrop Education Association, approved several policy updates and advanced staffing and extracurricular items for the 2026–27 year.
Officers: Alicia Law was nominated and elected chairperson; the board confirmed Erica as vice chair by unanimous voice vote. The outgoing presiding member congratulated the newly elected officers and handed the gavel to Chair Law.
Grievance and minutes: The board moved and unanimously voted to deny a grievance filed by the Winthrop Education Association under the collective bargaining agreement and directed the chair to provide the association with the board’s written decision within five days in accordance with the contract’s grievance article. The board also unanimously approved the minutes of the Dec. 17, 2025 meeting.
Personnel and hires: The board approved the employment of Patrick Hassan as a middle school social studies teacher after a motion and second were recorded. The motion carried; no dissent was recorded.
Policies: The board approved second readings for discrimination and harassment complaint procedures (ACA-R, ACAB, ACAB-R) and approved multiple policies for first reading including pest management, student immunizations (with statutory change removing certain exemptions), weapons/violence and school safety updates (added nicotine), dropout prevention, transportation employee requirements and drug and alcohol testing procedures for drivers.
Trip approval: The board approved an out-of-state, overnight field trip to Costa Rica proposed by teacher Tiff Shaw for February 2027. Shaw outlined a nine-day itinerary and cited a quoted cost of about $4,100 per student and $5,000 per adult; the board acknowledged fundraising will be necessary and that chaperone arrangements include one free chaperone for every six paying students.
Agenda request: A board member asked to add a future discussion on sex-separated spaces (bathrooms, locker rooms and sports). Members discussed whether to refer the topic to the policy committee or hold a preliminary board-level discussion and noted ongoing litigation related to similar issues.
Votes at a glance: - Elect Alicia Law, chairperson, 2026 — unanimous (voice vote). - Elect Erica, vice chairperson, 2026 — unanimous (voice vote). - Deny grievance filed by Winthrop Education Association — unanimous (motion carried; chair to issue written decision within five days). - Approve minutes of Dec. 17, 2025 — unanimous. - Approve second readings (ACA-R, ACAB, ACAB-R) — unanimous. - Approve policies for first reading (multiple) — unanimous. - Employ Patrick Hassan as middle school social studies teacher — motion carried (in favor). - Approve Costa Rica field trip (Feb. 2027) — motion carried.
What’s next: The superintendent will provide written grievance decision to the association within five days; the FY27 budget and capital priorities will be discussed in upcoming meetings and at a Feb. 26 public budget session.
