No vote for GIC could have negative impact on Swampscott override

SWAMPSCOTT – If an override is needed for the school district within the next couple of years, the recent Swampscott Education Association (SEA) vote not to adopt a new insurance plan could factor into whether it passes.The state’s Group Insurance Commission, which proponents claim could have saved the town $800,000 in the first year, required the support of the teachers union to pass. Ironically, it appears the schools could suffer if an override is needed in the future.Some area residents who had been vocal supporters of previous overrides for the schools said they would not support a future override because of the SEA’s vote against the GIC.Resident Debbie Davis, who supported a one-time override to keep Machon Elementary School open, said she is angry the unions choose not adopt the GIC.”I wouldn’t vote for any override after the teachers union voted not to accept the GIC,” she said. “The whole thing is ridiculous. I don’t have a choice of health insurance. If my company changes health insurance plans and it costs me more or has higher co-pays, I have to go along with it.”Resident Kathy Cormier said the SEA vote didn’t sit well with her either.”In the past I worked on every override,” she said. “Going forward I would probably vote for an override, but I certainly wouldn’t work to get one passed like I have a in the past. I don’t know what is driving the teachers union. We’ve received very little cooperation from them in the past. They didn’t help us much when we tried to get overrides passed in the past. They need to take a step towards us.”Former School Committee member Mary DeChillo, who is insured under the GIC, said she has worked on every school override campaign since 2001 and she thinks it’s time for the union to step up.”I would have to know this union is less combative and far more engaged before I would ever consider another override campaign,” she said. “We’re between a rock and a hard place. The unions put us in a real bad position. The town could have saved more than $1.4 million in two years. That’s a lot of jobs. There is a real disconnect on the part of the union and I just don’t understand it.”Speaking as an individual and not on behalf of the School Committee, David Whelan said without additional revenue for FY’10, the district is in trouble.”At this point without an increase in revenue,” he said, “we are looking at dozens of layoffs and the possible closing another school in FY’10. The Board of Selectmen and School Committee will objectively look at what’s in the best interest of the town then decide whether to put an override question to the voters.”Whelan admitted the no vote on the GIC by unions could have an adverse affect on any override votes in the immediate future.”Based on the vote not to adopt the GIC I think it is less likely people will vote for an override,” he said. “I know people are angry about the GIC issue but I think people need to look at the needs of the school and town regardless of how the unions voted on the GIC.”The state requires a 70 percent vote in favor for the town to adopt the GIC and the Swampscott Education Association has 58 percent of the weighted vote so it would be impossible for the GIC to pass if the SEA votes against it.