Weymouth Schools To Allow Contracts For 112 Educators To Lapse

WEYMOUTH, MA — Weymouth Public Schools will allow the contracts of 112 non-professional status educators to lapse on Monday in what Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Curtis-Whipple said is a result of "financial uncertainties" related to the coronavirus health emergency.

Curtis-Whipple said that while the district hopes to rehire "the vast majority" of those educators quickly, the timing of the contracts' expiration forced the decision.

"At this time it is unclear to what extent the state funding the district relies on, including Chapter 70 and circuit breaker funds, may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," Curtis-Whipple said in a statement. "We also await the final approval of next year's budget by the town, which is anticipated to take place (Monday).

"As a result of the financial uncertainties we are current faced with," she continued, "it is our duty to protect the long-term and short-term financial health of the district. ... This decision was not made lightly and we hope it will be largely mitigated as the fiscal picture from the state and town becomes clearer."

Curtis-Whipple said her office has spoken with the teacher's union about hopefully being able to rehire the teachers, if possible, without having to post their jobs or go through the typical hiring procedures, and that the union has agreed.

"Please know that this decision does not reflect the final staffing numbers for next year," she said. "But given the the current fiscal climate, and being up against a firm state staffing deadline that coincides with the potential passing of our budget, this is the only course of action available to us as this time."