By Jarret Liotta
In a rare public hearing tonight, the Board of Education listened to — and subsequently rejected — a grievance from a Staples High School (SHS) secretary in relation to her job level as it corresponds with her responsibilities.
From left, Karen Romano, Staples High School principal’s executive assistant, with 29 years in the district, union rep Dan Bonfiglio, Maryann Garcia, Westport Association of Educational Secretaries’ union president, and Jan Mello, WAES vice president, present Romano’s grievance. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com
Karen Romano, a 29-year veteran of the Westport Public Schools, who serves as executive assistant to the SHS principal, filed a grievance through her union to be moved from a Category IV (or Level 4) to a Category V (Level 5) position.
“We believe she’s not classified properly,” said union representative Dan Bonfiglio, who noted her responsibilities have increased greatly in her role, which now includes numerous hours organizing the graduation ceremonies.
“She’s performing work of a Category 5 secretary,” he said.
Bonfiglio said that three other secretaries in the district — those serving Continuing Education, the Facilities Department, and Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Tina Mannarino — were at Level 5, arguing that Romano’s workload was comparable.
He noted that the SHS principal himself was compensated at a higher level than other district principals, given the scope of his responsibilities.
He also said that some other individuals who have been in the district for relatively shorter amounts of time have been bumped up to higher levels at their request.
Along with a change in title from executive secretary to office coordinator, given Romano’s longevity, at the top step of the contract with the Westport Association of Educational Secretaries, this would also mean an hourly raise from $37.73 to $43.09.
John Bayers, director of human resources, argued he didn’t believe the change was warranted.
“I didn’t see any particular justification that this position should be looked at any differently than any other executive secretary in the district,” he said.
He noted that making the change could create the argument for others who might feel they deserve to have their level changed as well.
There was discussion of whether the job descriptions needed to be updated, since they were last officially looked at in 2013.
“I think there definitely should be more of a process to do some updates to the job descriptions,” Bayers said, adding that with the contract due to be renegotiated at the end of this school year, it would be a more logical time to have those discussions.
“The reason we’re sitting here is that we’re really not sure what the criteria is that’s being used,” Bonfiglio said.
“It seems there’s a mismatch problem,” he said.
“We’ve seen someone in four-and-a-half years elevated three times already,” he said.
The BOE voted 6 to 0 to deny the request, with Vice Chair Jeannie Smith abstaining.
Bonfiglio said there were others in the union that had expressed concerns about the categories they currently held.
In the case of Romano, he said, they would now be taking the matter to arbitration.
“Regardless of the outcome …” said BOE member Candice Savin, “I just want to take a moment to acknowledge the long-standing service of Karen Romano to the district.”
