Local News
Paper makes formal request to view DePaolo's contract
HAVERHILL — Mayor James Fiorentini said yesterday he is "outraged" that the principal of Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High is still getting paid her $120,869 annual salary, even though she's not showing up for work.
The Eagle-Tribune, sister paper of The Daily News, has filed a formal request under the state Public Records Act for a copy of Principal Deborah DePaolo's contract with Whittier. Whittier Superintendent William DeRosa said Wednesday that on the advice of the school's lawyer, he could not release a copy of the agreement because it is a "personnel" record.
Yesterday, The Eagle-Tribune challenged the school's refusal to release the contract. The Secretary of State's Office will consider the request. Attorney Jeffrey Pyle, who represents the newspaper, said a contract between a school district and an employee is not exempt from the public records law.
Pyle, of the Boston law firm Prince, Lobel, Glovsky & Tye, said DePaolo's contract is not shielded from public scrutiny and therefore should be released to The Eagle-Tribune.
"The Public Records Act does not exempt contracts between municipalities and officers or employees from the requirement of public disclosure,'' Pyle said. "Although there is an exemption for personnel records in the Public Records Act, that applies to such documents as performance evaluations and other materials that are useful for making employment decisions."
He also said there is "no authority in case law" for hiding a school administrator's contract.
Brian McNiff, spokesman for Secretary of State William Galvin, whose office enforces the Public Records Act, said the law considers every government document to be public, but nevertheless does permit several exemptions. McNiff said if DeRosa refuses The Eagle-Tribune's request to see DePaolo's contract, the newspaper can appeal to Supervisor of Public Records Alan Cote.
DeRosa said that while the Whittier superintendent hires the principal, it is the Regional School Committee that approves the contract between the principal and the district. The Whittier committee has representatives from each of the 11 communities in Greater Haverhill and Newburyport that sends students to the school.
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Waves, rescues surge
SALISBURY BEACH — There has been little downtime for Salisbury Beach lifeguards over the past few days, as massive waves have led to frequent rescues and injuries to beach-goers.
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Tuesday set a notable record: Lifeguards conducted at least 18 rescues, about half of all the rescues they have conducted this summer. Lifeguard supervisor George Nigro said a combination of warm water, hot temperatures, high surf and a high volume of swimmers led to the busy day. -
MEMA: Earl's impacts still unclear
NEWBURYPORT — As Hurricane Earl spun toward North Carolina's Outer Banks, local officials were preparing for the worst yesterday, though forecasters continued to expect the storm to veer to the northeast sometime today.
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Chief: Flaggers 'not a good arrangement'
AMESBURY — As the state embarks on a long-awaited widening of Amesbury's Route 110 roadway, local police are expressing some disappointment that the Massachusetts Highway Department is choosing to use flagmen instead of the town's police force to handle increased traffic during construction.
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Councilors balk at $10K for charter consultant
NEWBURYPORT — The City Council hesitated this week when faced with a request from the Charter Commission for $10,000 to hire a consultant to assist in the charter review process, saying they needed more specific information about what the money will go toward.
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City wins $625K to fight youth substance abuse
NEWBURYPORT — The city has received a five-year federal grant totaling $625,000, which will ensure that the Beacon Coalition program will continue to flourish and grow.
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The Beacon Coalition was awarded a $125,000 annual Drug Free Communities Support Program grant for five years from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. - Heard Around Town
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Waves, rescues surge
