Candidates at odds over teacher pact: Five hopefuls for school committee in Quincy face off at forum

By DIANA SCHOBERG
The Patriot Ledger

QUINCY - School committee members up for re-election defended the contract signed with teachers in June as fair to them and taxpayers, while one candidate for the board said the four-day strike at the end of the school year reflected a ‘‘lack of leadership.’’

Incumbent David McCarthy, a member of the bargaining committee for the school committee, told audience members at Tuesday night’s candidates’ forum that the negotiating team knew the health insurance issue was one that ‘‘had to be dealt with’’ and that there was no ‘‘golden parachute.’’

Incumbent Elaine Dwyer said that the mayor controls the finances and that the health insurance rates are set citywide. She said that the team only had room to bargain over the period of time the health insurance costs would increase and some wiggle room in salary increases.

‘‘I think in the long run, everyone got a good deal,’’ she said.

Nicholas Puleo, a first-time candidate, said the committee could have used someone with his budget expertise, and that budget numbers were not only the mayor’s decision.

‘‘The teachers’ contract was not about what we won but what we lost,’’ Puleo said. ‘‘Looking at where it got to ... it reflected a lack of leadership.’’

Jo-Ann Bragg, a former school committee member running again for office, said it had been a ‘‘tough year,’’ and emphasized her experience in collective bargaining.

Aside from the tense moments surrounding the teachers contract, the candidates night at the Lincoln-Hancock School, sponsored by the Quincy Parent Advisory Council to Special Education, was free of conflict.

Candidates strove to differentiate themselves. Puleo stressed his experience with budgets as a senior budget analyst for the state Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Bragg emphasized the 12 years she spent on the school committee.

‘‘I really see that we need people on the school committee that have experience and the knowledge to know what plans were talked about in the past, what has worked and what hasn’t worked,’’ Bragg said.

In keeping with the special education focus of the forum, McCarthy and the fifth candidate, Eileen Mullen, emphasized their experience as parents of children with special needs. Mullen, an educational consultant and inclusion specialist for special education, touted the idea of ‘‘after-school care for all.’’

Diana Schoberg may be reached at dschoberg@ledger.com .

Copyright 2007 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Wednesday, August 15, 2007