School Superintendent: COLA Is Not Holding Up Teachers Contract

Framingham Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott said a COLA (also known as a cost of living allowance/raise) is not what is holding up the finalizing of a new contract for the Framingham Teachers Association.

"There is the feeling that the school system is holding back on granting a COLA. ... In fact, we would assume that everyone would know we have set aside money for a COLA from the last Town Meeting," said Scott over the phone Monday. "We are simply waiting for the agreement to occur in order to be able to apply that COLA to this year. So, that has not been the sticky point, although some seem to think that this has been an issue of contention or concern."

Scott said the COLA is not one of the "harder elements to work through."

In

• Limits on Class Sizes
• A Well-Defined Work Day
• Fair Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)

Scott said in regards to the negotiations/mediation sessions "we seem to be coming down to the last few questions and working through them systematically."

"It takes a little while to get everybody together, so our next meeting is scheduled two weeks out and we hope that will bring closure to the process," said Scott. "But if it requires one more session, then that is what we will do, to make sure that we have all of the i's dotted and t's crossed."

Earlier this month, the Association expressed frustration that a mediation session was cancelled. And last week, the morning of the last mediation session, the Association started picketing in front of some of the schools.

"The process is moving forward. We hope for closure real soon," said Scott.

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Typically, since contract negotiations are done behind closed doors, the public usually doesn't hear anything until a contract is settled.

This year, both the Association and school administration have been more vocal publicly on negotiations.

The Superintendent has made public statements and issued press releases. The Association has packed the seats at two School Committee meetings, issued press releases and became picketing.