The Barrington School Committee will decide whether to fire five teachers during its meeting tonight, Feb. 17. 

The agenda for the school committee meeting lists three items dealing with the possible termination of teachers. 

Listed under “School Committee Business” are the three items: “A. Discussion and vote on Superintendent’s recommendation to non-renew the employment of a probationary teacher; B. Vote on Superintendent’s recommendation to non-renew the employment of 3 probationary teachers; C. Vote on Superintendent’s recommendation to terminate and/or suspend without pay a tenured teacher for cause.”

The agenda does not list the names or positions for any of the teachers. 

The school committee also plans to meet in executive session prior to the open meeting and discuss the job performance of the teachers. 

The Barrington Times reached out to the local teachers' union, NEAB (National Education Association Barrington), but has not yet heard back.

Covid update

The school committee is also expected to hear an update on the re-entry task force’s recent work regarding Covid guidelines and protocols. The task force recently released its recommendations regarding masks and quarantine times. 

When asked if the school committee would be discussing and/or voting on the recommendations, committee chairwoman Gina Bae said she was expecting the superintendent to share an update but she was not sure if the recommendations or new guidelines would be finalized yet.

Other discussion points

• The school committee is expected to discuss and vote on the tentative agreement it reached with the school teachers union regarding a booster shot mandate. 

• The committee will discuss and approve the 2022-23 school calendar;

• The committee will discuss and act on the Barrington School Building Committee recommendation for Stage II Fall Submission Date of Sept. 15

• The committee will discuss the format of future meetings — whether to meet in person or hold virtual meetings

• The committee is expected to approve the appointments of new employees: reading specialist at Hampden Meadows, special education teacher at the high school, world languages teacher at the middle school, and a teacher assistant at Primrose Hill School 

• The open portion of the meeting will begin with a mid-year report on school-based strategic goals. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions or make comments for each school. 

• The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and will be held online. The link to the meeting can be found on the district’s website.