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Date: 5/10/2022
SPRINGFIELD – The School Committee approved a new contract for substitute teachers and recognized winners of the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching awards during their April 28 meeting.
Substitute Teacher Contract
Following the approval of a new paraprofessional contract on April 14, the School Committee discussed the consideration of a new, four-year contract for the district’s substitute teachers. Superintendent Daniel Warwick shared that the committee analyzed the contract’s details in a previous executive session meeting before presenting the contract to substitutes via the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1459 union.
Warwick said the substitute teachers ratified the contract the day of the School Committee’s vote on the contract. The approved contract runs from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2025. The School Committee also approved a new four-year contract for teachers as a part of the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership.
While the committee planned on voting for the approval of a new contract for nurses, Warwick shared that the items require a postponement due to the nurses’ union not ratifying the contract.
“The groups haven’t had a chance to ratify it yet. There’s no issue with it, they just haven’t had a chance to ratify,” said Warwick.
2022 Pioneer Valley Excellence Winners
The School Committee also showcased winners of the 2022 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching awards. Director of Visual and Performing Arts and chairperson of the award selection process Julie Jaron presented the winners to the committee.
The teaching awards recognized are Mary-Anne Polom of Milton Bradley Elementary School, Jennifer Cooney of Brookings School, Eileen Mongeon of Daniel B. Burnton School, Marcos Carreras of Springfield Conservatory of the Arts, Elizabeth Lundberg and Dazella Woods of William N. DeBerry Elementary School, Kristine Beiser and Emily Willer of Hiram L Dorman Elementary School and Jaclyn Kopyscinski of John J Dugan Academy.
Jaron also spotlighted Philicetta Lewis of the Springfield High School of Commerce, Sabrina Tsim of the Springfield High School of Science and Technology, Kristen Franklin of Homer Street School, Violet Slatis, Jill Barlow and Courtney Rhue of Impact Prep at Chestnut, Jacqueline Ferguson of John F. Kennedy Middle School, Catlin Turok of Springfield Public Day Middle School, Allyson Leach of Mary M. Walsh School and Tori Brown-Carter of Washington School.
As for the district’s new teacher winner, Holley Fountain accepted the award as a 1st grade teacher at Indian Orchard Elementary School.
The School Committee expressed united support for the winners. Warwick considers the district’s teachers “second to none,” while School Committee At-Large Member Denise Hurst highlighted the dedicated efforts of the district’s winners.
“I know that we have an abundance of teachers out there who do a great job day in, day out. I think it’s excellent that there is still recognition of those doing great work,” said Hurst.
The School Committee will meet again on May 12.