Union raises staffing and hiring concerns, calls for elementary curriculum coordinator

At the Nov. 18 meeting, OETA union representatives told the Orange Elementary School Committee they remain concerned about class sizes, inconsistent behavior management and paras being pulled from their positions. Kelly Therrien said staff surveys show communication has improved this year but that staff continue to raise those operational concerns.

Alyson Herk said staff were worried the administration ‘‘already has plans for filling this role’’ ahead of Marie Cole’s retirement and noted that a staff member ‘‘has been paid to rewrite the handbook,’’ which some members fear could advantage that staff member as a candidate. Herk and Therrien said teachers and paras ‘‘need and want a curriculum coordinator with elementary experience.’’

Union representatives also questioned the district’s use of grant funding to pay a reading specialist who, they said, now lives ‘‘hundreds of miles away’’ and expressed disagreement with that arrangement. The committee did not take a formal vote on staffing or hiring at the meeting; those items were raised as matters for future budget and JLMC discussion.

Chair Mallory Ellis acknowledged the concerns and suggested scheduling a JLMC meeting and additional discussion with Michele Tontodonato on budget implications. No formal personnel decisions were made at the meeting.