THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, June 14, 2019 Page 7 Was vote to privatize flawed? Copies of School Committee members’ emails raise questions about the process of considering private companies for custodial services By Mark E. Vogler or several weeks, Saugus School Committee ViceChair Elizabeth Marchese and Committee Member Lisa Morgante have made repeated requests seeking an Executive Session to clarify an apparent vote taken in private last month on a plan to privatize custodial services in the schools. But the two members say their requests have been ignored by School Committee Chair Jeannie Meredith, as it appears that the School Department has decided to replace 21 school custodians with a private company, based on an Executive Session vote that was never made public. “I request an executive sesF sion to inform the entire committee of the content of said meeting,” Marchese wrote in a June 11 email to her colleagues. “As you are all aware … our May 8th executive session meeting minutes have not been drafted nor disbursed for review. We are now more than a month post meeting,” Marchese continued. “Before any action is taken by what may be perceived as permission in that meeting I strongly urge this board convene in executive session. In addition since our committee secretary was not present to take down notes … it is extremely crucial that these minutes be drafted in complete detail as well as complete accuracy with all members having access to review.” That email is among several that Marchese made available to The Saugus Advocate this week – after the paper made a formal request for copies of emails and texts made between School Committee members from the period of May 19, 2019, through June 11. The emails show Marchese and Morgante were confused about the specific wording of the vote and that they wanted it known that they didn’t consider it approval on their part to proceed with privatization of custodial services. Here are some of the emails obtained by The Saugus Advocate: On May 20, Morgante wrote: “I would ask for an executive session to discuss a few things I’d like cleared up about the custodians & what we was presented to us at the last executive meeting please. Please let me know.” On May 30, Marchese wrote: “I would like to see a copy of the accepted proposal….like we did with the Cafeteria Whitsons proposal. Thank you. Liz.” On June 4, Marchese wrote: “I am writing to follow up on prior requests and to formally request a follow up to the Custodial Matter in Executive session before any further steps are taken or any contract finalization be made. There are numerous questions that need to be answered and I formally request that the committee be allowed to review the accepted bid proposal before going any further. “At this point the committee and the district does NOT have my permission to enter into any binding contracts as I hereby give notice of my Motion to Rescind any prior vote. Thank you, Liz Marchese.” On June 6, Marchese wrote: “I am respectfully requesting that the Custodians and Privatization matter be placed upon the June 20th Opening Meeting Agenda of the School Committee for discussion. Thanks for your consideration. Liz Marchese. On June 11, Marchese wrote: “I am once again requesting and following up on my request for an Executive Session with regards to the Custodial Matter. Both Lisa and myself have sent requests since May 20 to no avail. “I am also formally requesting a draft of the Executive Kane’s Donuts & Boston Harbor Distillery craft “Putnam New England Rye Whiskey Glazed Donut” in honor of Father’s Day K ane’s Donuts and Boston Harbor Distillery have come together to create the ultimate Father’s Day treat. No, it’s not another tie or power tool, it’s the Putnam New England Rye Whiskey Glazed Donut. This year give dad something that won’t get lost at the bottom of a closet – a dozen whiskey donuts. The Putnam New England Rye Whiskey Glazed Donut will be available at all Kane’s locations during Father’s Day Weekend: Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16. The whiskey glaze is created using Boston Harbor Distillery’s Putnam New England Rye Whiskey. 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Session minutes and any and all Motions from the May 8th meeting for review. “Lastly, I am requesting the RFP and copies of the 3 top submitted bids which were opened publicly pursuant to MGL 30B … the same of which we legally had a right to review and were denied in the May 8th session. “I am also following up on a prior request that this matter be placed on the June 20th agenda for public vote in Open Meeting. Thank you, Liz.” Visit Our Newly Expanded Facility. We will beat competitors pricing! (Restrictions apply.) 222 Central St. Saugus, MA 01906 (Next to Saugus Iron Works) 781-231-5990 2FREE ND MONTH on 10x10 units No administration fees. 200 new units available. All sizes to fi t your needs. New Customer Specials Offer valid at 222 Central Storage. Must present coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers. 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