The Springfield Public Schools' Crisis 2003

The Springfield Public Schools' Crisis 2003 - 2006

The Springfield Crisis: a Historical Perspective

Springfield's woes begin in the late-1980's because of “unremitting fiscal management through calendar years 2003, declining property values, ineffective tax collections, and growing dependence on state aid.” (C. Sweeney's ruling) (click here for ruling)

Between 1979 and 1999, state and local taxes in Massachusetts fall by more than 20%.

May 2002: School Committee recommends the loss of 394 teaching positions, 208 paraprofessional positions, 17 Assistant Principals, and other cuts in staff and programs because of the proposed state budget.

2002-2003 actual cuts: 100 fewer teachers, 60 paraprofessionals, school pools closed, school supplies and equipment funding frozen, DARE program eliminated, many school libraries closed due to lack of personnel, Springfield schools spend 369% more on Special Education than the foundation budget allows.

2002-2003 marks the first year that teachers started the school year without a contract.

2001-2002 & 2002-2003: loss of 190 teaching positions; loss of 132 teachers; student enrollment continues to grow.

Spring, 2003: Chapter 70 funds increase by 11 million dollars.

Spring, 2003: Romney cuts 6.6 million dollars of state education grants to Springfield and eliminates the 3 million dollars the city receives from the State for school transportation.

Spring, 2003: Romney reduces the minimum contribution the city must make to the schools which can reduced the School Department budget by 4 million dollars.

Spring of 2003: the School Committee's proposed budget includes $2 million for wage increases for FY2004.

Mayor Albano and School Committee declare a wage freeze for the 2003-2004 school invoking St.1989 c.656.

June 2003: The City Council passes the FY2004 budget that was based on the wrongful invocation of Chapter 656, 6, thereby freezing all step and column raises.

June 2003: School Committee and Mayor extend Superintendent's and administrators' contract.

2003-2004 marks the second year that teachers started the school year without a contract nor an extended contract.

December 2003: School Committee approves final budget which included $2 million for wage increase. The money is used to meet other financial obligations because of the freeze.

End of 2003: “The political administration which had overseen, or ignored the City's financial deterioration (leaves) office.” (C. Sweeney's ruling)

June, 2004: Governor Romney tries to deep-six collective bargaining rights for public employees.

Summer of 2004: the General Court enact(s) St. 2004 c, 169, “An Act Relative To The Financial Stability In the City of Springfield.” (C. Sweeney's ruling) The Finance Control Board comes into existence because of this statute.

Mayor Ryan convinces the School Committee to refrain from settling the Contract or even extending it because he is concerned about the actions of the Finance Control Board.

December 2, 2004: School Committee passes a resolution calling on the Control Board to release the money for step raises and column changes and another resolution condemning the waiver of $918,000 of the city's minimum contribution to the schools.

October, 2005: School Committee passes a motion to pay teachers at their appropriate step and column as the law requires. They also pass a motion to send the teachers' contract to binding arbitration.

November 29, 2005: Judge Constance Sweeney issues the Memorandum of Decision and Order on Cross Motions for Summary Judgment. She rules that Mayor Albano's failure to include the pay raises in the City's FY 2004 budget resulted in the breach of the collective bargaining agreements.

December 13, 2005: The Finance Control Board, without overturning the School Committee's October 20, 2005 motion, continues to illegally freeze wages and refuses to send the contract to binding arbitration.