Fate of GR Schools May Come Down to Monday Vote

Members of the Glen Rock Education Association and Glen Rock Administrators Association Friday afternoon met to receive the details of alternative plans to bridge a $1 million budget gap that has many in the community fearing for the future of the Glen Rock Schools.

The assembled members of the GREA, GRAA and several non-union employees — from the Board of Education office, business office and at the Community School — were assembled for about 2 hours of meetings to hear alternatives to contentious outsourcing solutions.

Alternatives include "two options [regarding employee] health benefits that present significant cost savings to the district," according to a press release sent out just after 5 p.m. Friday evening.

Schools Superintendent David Verducci would not give specifics on how health benefits would be impacted.

Verducci, however, said, "the goal here is to take outsourcing off the table, at least for another year if at all possible, and to do it in a way that will not undermine the district's financial future.”

The examined by the Board of Education last month potentially replace current custodial staff and educational support staff with outsourced employees, many of whom would be part time thus saving the district on costs such as health care.

The plan going forward is, first, for all parties to consider the options as presented Friday. Then, on Monday, the GREA and GRAA will meet again, this time after school hours, to vote separately on the health care modifications.

"Assuming both associations OK the deal Monday afternoon in independent ballots," Verducci said. "[The results of the vote] would go to [the BOE's] closed session ... and the board would formally discuss the issue at the public meeting."

If one third of the board approves the amendment then the 'sidebar agreement' modifying employee health care would go into effect for one year and outsourcing would be off the table, according to Verducci.

When asked about the overall chances for votes in the affirmative from the GREA, GRAA and the Board of Education, Verducci didn't gush with optimism.

But he remained hopeful and positive.

"Emotions are very high, it's a tough economy. The chance of this coming to fruition is fairly small because of economic circumstances," said Verducci. "Two weeks ago there was no chance, but I'm willing to go right to the wall if there's even a small chance."