Board ratifies Laboy's raise, contract

By Zach Church
Staff writer
Published: 12/19/2007

 

Lawrence - The School Committee last night approved minutes from the behind-closed-doors Dec. 4 meeting that awarded a 5 percent pay raise and two-year contract extension to Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy.
Laboy will see his salary increase by about $9,450 to $198,450. The raise is based on a positive employment evaluation and the meeting of certain goals as outlined in his contract. He is now contracted with the city through June 30, 2011.
A group of about 15 Lawrence teachers walked out of last night's School Committee meeting after the minutes were approved 4-1. Teachers union president Frank McLaughlin said teachers believe it is unfair for Laboy to see a 5 percent raise while they continue working without a contract.
Laboy defended his raise in a Friday e-mail to staff, saying it is based on his performance, a risk the teachers union does not take.
"As the private sector has learned, higher performance pay only comes with the risk of a merit-based system," Laboy wrote. "The teachers' union is choosing to ignore this fact and wants to have a sizeable raise guaranteed to them."